Prisoners Of Geography
In this New York Times bestseller, an award-winning journalist uses ten maps of crucial regions to explain the geo-political strategies of the world powers--"fans of geography, history, and politics (and maps) will be enthralled" (Fort Worth Star-Telegram). Maps have a mysterious hold over us. Whether ancient, crumbling parchments or generated by Google, maps tell us things we want to know, not only about our current location or where we are going but about the world in general. And yet, when it comes to geo-politics, much of what we are told is generated by analysts and other experts who have neglected to refer to a map of the place in question. All leaders of nations are constrained by geography. In "one of the best books about geopolitics" (The Evening Standard), now updated to include 2016 geopolitical developments, journalist Tim Marshall examines Russia, China, the US, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Japan, Korea, and Greenland and the Arctic--their weather, seas, mountains, rivers, deserts, and borders--to provide a context often missing from our political reportage: how the physical characteristics of these countries affect their strengths and vulnerabilities and the decisions made by their leaders. Offering "a fresh way of looking at maps" (The New York Times Book Review), Marshall explains the complex geo-political strategies that shape the globe. Why is Putin so obsessed with Crimea? Why was the US destined to become a global superpower? Why does China's power base continue to expand? Why is Tibet destined to lose its autonomy? Why will Europe never be united? The answers are geographical. "In an ever more complex, chaotic, and interlinked world, Prisoners of Geography is a concise and useful primer on geopolitics" (Newsweek) and a critical guide to one of the major determining factors in world affairs.
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Community Reviews
_Geography is the single most important factor that determines the dominance of nations in the world_ British journalist and author, Tim Marshall in his book *Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need To Know About Global Politics*, describes how natural resources, terrain and natural borders has shaped the destiny of several nations and ascertained geo-political strategies for the world powers. Be it America's annexation of Hawaii and Alaska extending the U.S. territory into the Pacific or Japan's support to Indian independence struggle or Russia's relationship with Cuba.
The entire world is divided into ten maps - Russia, China, the USA, South America, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Japan , Korea, and the Arctic and Greenland.
● 20% of Russia is occupied by 70% of its people. Cursed with harsh weather, Russia search for a warmer and conducive port has led to the current Russia-Ukraine war.
● _God has a special provision for fools, drunkards, and the United States of America_ USA is blessed with oceans on two sides and a cordial neighbor in Canada. Further, it has rich natural resources to boast off. So all it really has to take care of is its border with Mexico.
● China's control over Hong Kong to secure its trade route and its rule over Tibet to secure its Western boundaries are examples of how strategies are shaped. To ensure unhindered development on its way to becoming a superpower, the deal the government offers is: we make you better off, you follow our orders.
● Africa's vast size, diverse landscapes, and lack of navigable rivers as well as colonizers, esp Europeans who divided the country into their liking, have influenced its history and political dynamics.
● Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest have shaped the cultural, economic, and political dynamics of the South American region. Amazon rainforest, while rich in resources, has posed challenges for development due to its dense vegetation and isolation. Argentina in South America was once in the top 10 countries in the world blessed with its natural resources, but its policies have led to its significant decline.
● Europe’s geography has given the Europeans a significant head start. Instead of fighting for survival, the Europeans could focus on developing technology and art. Europe has barely any deserts or volcanoes. It has a useful coastline, too.
● The middle of what, and east of where? Based on a European view of the world; it is this view that has shaped the region. Middle East is a fertile region also rich in oil and gas. Shia and Sunnis are the two sects with very different ideologies and have to lead to different divisions within this region.
● Korean Peninsula’s is divided along ideological lines, with North and South Korea situated in close proximity. Though they shared a common ancestry of "angels." The presence of powerful neighbors, namely China and Russia, has had a strong influence. Japan’s isolation as an island nation and its lack of resources has driven its pursuit of industrialization and colonization.
● With the advent of climate change, another region that is gaining importance is Arctic. The melting of Arctic ice will expose several hydrocarbons, and once again, the strife the conquer and dominate will begin.
A stimulating session by Nitin laced with several anecdotes by participants around control over seas, "deep" and vast inlands, power struggles, and more.
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