The Silk Roads

A New History of the World

By: Peter Frankopan

Narrated by: Laurence Kennedy

“This is history on a grand scale, with a sweep and ambition that is rare... A proper historical epic of dazzling range and achievement.” (William Dalrymple, The Guardian)

The epic history of the crossroads of the world - the meeting place of East and West and the birthplace of civilization

It was on the Silk Roads that East and West first encountered each other through trade and conquest, leading to the spread of ideas, cultures, and religions. From the rise and fall of empires to the spread of Buddhism and the advent of Christianity and Islam, right up to the great wars of the 20th century - this book shows how the fate of the West has always been inextricably linked to the East.

Peter Frankopan realigns our understanding of the world, pointing us eastward. He vividly re-creates the emergence of the first cities in Mesopotamia and the birth of empires in Persia, Rome, and Constantinople, as well as the depredations by the Mongols, the transmission of the Black Death, and the violent struggles over Western imperialism. Throughout the millennia, it was the appetite for foreign goods that brought East and West together, driving economies and the growth of nations.

From the Middle East and its political instability to China and its economic rise, the vast region stretching eastward from the Balkans across the steppe and South Asia has been thrust into the global spotlight in recent years. Frankopan teaches us that to understand what is at stake for the cities and nations built on these intricate trade routes, we must first understand their astounding pasts. Far more than a history of the Silk Roads, this book is truly a revelatory new history of the world, promising to destabilize notions of where we come from and where we are headed next.

©2016 Peter Frankopan (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This provocative history challenges the view of the West as heir to a pure Greco-Roman culture. For Frankopan, the brutish West owes its more enlightened traditions to the lands east of Italy and west of China, which were, for centuries, 'the centre of the world'… Frankopan marshals diverse examples to demonstrate the interconnectedness of cultures, showing in vivid detail the economic and social impact of the silk and the slave trades, the Black Death, and the Buddhist influence on Christianity.” (The New Yorker)

“In his new book, The Silk Roads, Frankopan has created something that forces us to sit up and reconsider the world and the way we've always thought about it… The book takes us by surprise right from the start.” (Nishant Dahiya, NPR)

“This is deeply researched popular history at its most invigorating, primed to dislodge routine preconceptions and to pour in other light. The freshness of… Frankopan’s sources is stimulating, and their sheer range can provoke surprising connections. He likes to administer passing electric shocks… The sheer abundance of Frankopan’s information can become an omnivorous pleasure, and its details add color and particularity to his text… He plunders data magnificently... A brave, subtly personal project of inspiring ambition and epic scope.” (Colin Thubron, New York Review of Books)

Excellent

I read this 2ce in a row! Terrific
Understanding of the area. This is important

West bad, east good

Author frequently accused western countries in seeing only what they wanted to see that I think he fall for the same issue. This looks like a cherry-picking of narratives, events, facts, and a lot of wishful thinking that support the story author wanted to tell.

I compelling narrative history of the Middle East.

An engaging narrative history of the Middle East which places the Middle East and surrounding territories as the fulcrum of world history. A very compellingly told Tale with unexpected conclusions.

the story line, and how detailed the book is. perfect read

enjoyed it. needed to take a half a day break since it was way to many information lol.

Good review of history

Well done reminder that the world is not just America and Europe, we must remember, be curious and aware about these places that here in the western world not too many people talk about them.

Outstanding work!

I was surprised by the scope, detail and synthesis of this work. It puts the present in the context of the past and directs attention to the future - a consequence of choices we make.

Extraordinary well written

I really like the entire book, it is well written and performed. Unfortunately I have some serious issues with fact checking of some aspects of the book. I'm not sure if it was done on purpose or simply by a mission but certain parts of the book are not historical fact but rather unverified Legends and myths. The writer for some reason chose to include things like noresman being referred to as Rus, there is much historical debate and disputers to who the Rus really were. Tartars were not named that off to Tartarus, at least that is not an accepted fact by a majority of historians. Aleppo was seized by combined forces of Mongols, Armenians and Frankish troops, but the writer makes it seem as though it was taken from the crusaders. These are not necessarily mistakes, they're just versions of events that are not accepted by all historians. I wish the writer added some sentences that these are only possible versions of events and not historical facts as it seems to me here. I could be wrong of course and overall the book is phenomenal and I do recommend it.

Impressive

A very impressive tour de force. Although impossible to cover all details over the vast time period, the author does a wonderful job of seamlessly blending the time periods so there is no abrupt turn.

On the other hand, the handful of other reviews that were critical of the content ( not performance or story) : it would be nice to know the reviewer’s qualification and credentials to put a context behind their criticism… specially in the face of author’s impressive background and his obvious research that allowed him to quote real evidence from history.

Focused World History

Historical overview focusing on central Asia, with emphasis on interface between the east and the Europe. Often contains insights I had not considered before. Especially noteworthy: Deep dive into the role of Persia/Iran from 1800s on. This area is often ignored or down played, but very interesting and important. Pretty much ignores roles of China and India but is in keeping with the silk roads analogy and the narrative ends in about 2014 so ten years old. But interesting take on critical oft ignored history.

Fantastic

One of the best World history books I’ve read! Absolutely recommend it to those seeking to understand events that have repeatedly resulted in shifts in world power.