Prisoners of Geography, 1 - (Politics of Place) by Tim Marshall

About the Book

First published in Great Britain in 2015 by Elliott and Thompson Limited.

Book Synopsis

UPDATED TO REFLECT CURRENT EVENTS! In this fascinating New York Times bestseller--fully revised to reflect the events of our current world--award-winning journalist Tim Marshall uses ten maps of crucial regions to explain how physical landscapes influence geopolitical strategies of world leaders, showing "how geography shapes not just history but destiny" (Newsweek).

Maps have always captivated us, offering insights not only into our destinations but also into the broader world. Yet, when it comes to understanding geopolitics, many overlook the fundamental role of geography. All leaders of nations are constrained by geography--their choices limited by mountains, rivers, deserts, and seas. Now in "one of the best books about geopolitics" (The Evening Standard)--journalist Tim Marshall reveals the profound influence of geography on global politics, offering a compelling lens through which to understand the seismic shifts reshaping international relations.

Through ten up-to-date maps, Marshall explores the landscapes and climates that constrain and empower nations across key parts of the globe, from Russia's vast tundras to China's mountainous borders, Africa's deserts to the Arctic's shifting ice. Taking a deep dive into the key flashpoints defining our world today--including the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict--Marshall unpacks the shifting dynamics of the New Middle East, China's bold moves to expand its global influence, including its growing interest in Taiwan, and how America's pivot to the Pacific is reshaping alliances. And Europe's tilt towards extreme politics, increased defense spending, and the future role of NATO, paint a dramatic picture of a continent in flux.

An essential read for anyone interested in the interplay between geography and global politics, this fully revised edition of Prisoners of Geography offers a vivid look at the forces driving our increasingly complex world.

Review Quotes

"Quite simply, one of the best books about geopolitics you could imagine: reading it is like having a light shone on your understanding." --The Evening Standard

"In an ever more complex, chaotic and interlinked world, Prisoners of Geography is a concise and useful primer on geo-politics." --Newsweek Europe

"A convincing analysis." --Washington Post

"Marshall's insistence on seeing the world through the lens of geography compels a fresh way of looking at maps--not just as objects for orientation or works of art, but as guideposts to the often thorny relations between nations." --New York Times Book Review

"Marshall is excellent on some of the highways and byways of geopolitics." --Financial Times

"This is not a book about environmental determinism--the geography of a region is never presented as fatalistic; but it does send a timely reminder that despite technological advances, geography is always there, often forcing the hand of world leaders." --Geographical Magazine

"Fans of geography, history and politics (and maps) will be enthralled." --Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Lively and perceptive . . . a brilliant narrative . . . superb . . . precise and informative . . . A very lively, sensible and informative series of country reports in which geography occupies its rightful place along with shrewd historical reminders and political judgments." --Survival: Global Politics and Strategy

"This book is especially timely . . . Landscapes, rugged or otherwise, and what the land holds in resources, exert their own kind of sway that no one, not even a Putin, can surmount. This book grabbed me because of its enormous relevance to our world today." --Booktrib.com

About the Author

Tim Marshall is a leading authority on foreign affairs with more than thirty years of reporting experience. He was diplomatic editor at Sky News and before that worked for the BBC and LBC/IRN radio. He has reported from forty countries and covered conflicts in Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. He is the author of Prisoners of Geography, The Age of Walls, A Flag Worth Dying For, The Power of Geography, and The Future of Geography.