The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan

The full title of the book is “The Silk Roads: A new history of the world”. The primary aim of the book as stated by the author is to shift our focus from the Eurocentric view of history back to the EurAsian landmass with an initial focus on the early civilisations, particularly Persia.

The underpinning basis of the analysis is materialist/economic rather than military and political and revolves around the Silk Roads running from the Near East to China. The importance of the Silk Roads was critical for thousands of years, became somewhat subdued and less important following the discovery of the New World(s) and significantly improved sailing capabilities but is now in the process of reasserting its significance. The book is ambitious – a new history of the world in 600+ pages – so we move through the centuries reasonably briskly – but is full of anecdotal detail to emphasise or capture the essence of the time.

I thought the first half of the book was very good, particularly as the focus is on trade it gives a different historical perspective. The research is impressive: what else would you expect from a Professor of Byzantine Studies at Oxford. I found the second half of the book somewhat underwhelming and predictable. I also found the book quite Eurocentric despite its stated aim. There is not any analysis of China, or the impact of the Silk Roads on China and not a lot on Central Asia (the Stans etc) other than they became rich as intermediaries on the trade routes. On balance, I enjoyed the book and thought it a worthwhile read.