The Silk Roads

A New History of the World

By: Peter Frankopan

Narrated by: Laurence Kennedy

Length: 24 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

“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

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.

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.

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.

amazing listen. history from a different view

this book is a must read for anybody who thinks the west is always righteous.

Excellent review of History

Highly recommend this book for a eastern historical perspective. This book was very educational. Two thumbs up!

Intriguing and essential history

Wonderfully comprehensive history, spanning centuries of time and covering from China to the Mediterranean and Europe. Rich and nuanced coverage of trade, politics and people. One of the most surprising parts of this discussion was the importance of oil and energy in the last 200 years. The prose sparkles, and the audible reading is spectacular! One small downside is the author has an anti-American bias shining through while discussing the last 100 years.

Well done

An extensive, inclusive study of the geographical region and the outside forces that contributed to the development and flourishing over the centuries. It comes up to the current day, with an outlook of the the New Silk Road.

excellent to say the least

Around the world in 26hrs of reading, superb information. The narrator was very good too. I shall read it again.

Excellent History!

A wonderful examination of the history of the Silk Rosds from early beginnings to modern day with the Silk Right ads being revamped for current needs.