63 pages • 2 hours read
Peter FrankopanThe Silk Roads: A New History of the World
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan traces the history of trade routes linking Asia, Europe, and Africa from antiquity to the present, emphasizing the Eastern origins of many elements of "Western" history and countering Eurocentric narratives. The book covers the emergence of commerce, the spread of religions, the rise of empires, and the influence of the Silk Roads on global events such as wars and economic shifts. The book addresses the Holocaust, the slave trade, and terrorism.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Peter Frankopan's The Silk Roads is widely praised for its ambitious and panoramic scope, offering a fresh perspective on global history through the lens of the Silk Roads. Its richly detailed narrative and accessible prose captivate readers, though some note its overwhelming breadth and occasional Eurocentric bias. Despite this, it remains a compelling and enlightening read.
Who Should Read The Silk Roads?
Readers who enjoy The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan typically appreciate comprehensive historical narratives with a global perspective. Similar books include Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel and Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens. Ideal readers are history enthusiasts who seek to understand the interconnectedness of civilizations through trade and cultural exchange.