1. In the world of geopolitics, there are many variables to consider when looking at the ways in which geography impacts civilization and specifically how it influences international affairs and world peace. Factors include geographic features such as topography, sea access, climate, natural resource access, arable land, as well as cultural, political, militaristic and demographic conditions. In his book, Prisoners of Geography, Tim Marshall - an authority on foreign affairs and a former foreign correspondent of thirty years – offers up personal experiences as well as historical support for showing that the way humans live and the conflicts they experience are intrinsically tied to geography. And while his bold claim on the book’s cover
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I found this book to be a great intro to geopolitics which really has to be considered when seeking to understand the motivations of tyrants in the world, like Russia’s Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Marshall did an exceptional job of explaining how geographic features have helped determine the course of history as well as presenting interesting hypotheticals for help predicting the way forward. Marshall’s reasoning helped me connect the dots with more clarity and the book was easier to follow than I had expected. At times, I do think he overemphasized the influence of topography on military tactics, yet he hardly mentions climate change at all and this of course will have long term implications for us all. In one chapter, Marshall suggests that U.S.A. made its most impactful advances thanks to the Mississippi Basin because this geographical feature made connectivity possible on a grand-scale. But Marshall fails to mention how climate change could wash it all away, like Hurricane Katrina. Another criticism I have is that Marshall suggests that motivations such as expansion, resources and power will persist if not intensify, causing humanity to remain trapped in a continuum of conflict, and since geographical characteristics are unlikely to change, world peace seems unattainable. If true, the future is not bright. But Marshall also claimed that ten maps would tell us everything we ever need to know about the world, a riveting introduction but also a …show more content…
Prisoners of Geography is basically a trip around the globe in which Marshall offers compelling historical insight supporting his overarching message that the way humans live and the conflicts they experience are intrinsically tied to geography. In fact, the lay of the land often limits the choices of world leaders in some way, effectively shaping the course of history. For example, Brazil has never be nor would likely ever be a global power because it doesn’t have a coastal plain necessary for transport infrastructure. And look at how little fuss there has been out of Western Europe after Russia’s shocking land grab in Ukraine. Why? Because because Russia supplies a lot of oil and gas to Western Europe, that’s why. And if they anger the bear, it may just mean lights out! And I wonder if the British ever learned that drawing borders in regions they know nothing about was a terrible idea. Folks in Africa and the Middle East could attest to this. Lines have literally been drawn in the sand without any regard for topography and geographical cultures or political and social implications and then we scratch our heads in dumbfoundment when the chaos never ceases! But certainly we don’t even have to reach back into the history books to find examples that support this author’s point. Several years ago, Russia targeted the strategic territory of Ukraine to seize Crimea because Putin needed a warm water port. Sadly, this action cost many lives. I am convinced that
I found this book to be a great intro to geopolitics which really has to be considered when seeking to understand the motivations of tyrants in the world, like Russia’s Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Marshall did an exceptional job of explaining how geographic features have helped determine the course of history as well as presenting interesting hypotheticals for help predicting the way forward. Marshall’s reasoning helped me connect the dots with more clarity and the book was easier to follow than I had expected. At times, I do think he overemphasized the influence of topography on military tactics, yet he hardly mentions climate change at all and this of course will have long term implications for us all. In one chapter, Marshall suggests that U.S.A. made its most impactful advances thanks to the Mississippi Basin because this geographical feature made connectivity possible on a grand-scale. But Marshall fails to mention how climate change could wash it all away, like Hurricane Katrina. Another criticism I have is that Marshall suggests that motivations such as expansion, resources and power will persist if not intensify, causing humanity to remain trapped in a continuum of conflict, and since geographical characteristics are unlikely to change, world peace seems unattainable. If true, the future is not bright. But Marshall also claimed that ten maps would tell us everything we ever need to know about the world, a riveting introduction but also a …show more content…
Prisoners of Geography is basically a trip around the globe in which Marshall offers compelling historical insight supporting his overarching message that the way humans live and the conflicts they experience are intrinsically tied to geography. In fact, the lay of the land often limits the choices of world leaders in some way, effectively shaping the course of history. For example, Brazil has never be nor would likely ever be a global power because it doesn’t have a coastal plain necessary for transport infrastructure. And look at how little fuss there has been out of Western Europe after Russia’s shocking land grab in Ukraine. Why? Because because Russia supplies a lot of oil and gas to Western Europe, that’s why. And if they anger the bear, it may just mean lights out! And I wonder if the British ever learned that drawing borders in regions they know nothing about was a terrible idea. Folks in Africa and the Middle East could attest to this. Lines have literally been drawn in the sand without any regard for topography and geographical cultures or political and social implications and then we scratch our heads in dumbfoundment when the chaos never ceases! But certainly we don’t even have to reach back into the history books to find examples that support this author’s point. Several years ago, Russia targeted the strategic territory of Ukraine to seize Crimea because Putin needed a warm water port. Sadly, this action cost many lives. I am convinced that