Prisoners of Geography - Ten maps that tell you everything you need to know about global politics by Tim Marshall

When I drive past the sea were I live and look at the beaches and various cliffs I think how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful part of the North East of England. But this coast line and the surrounding landscape mean much more than just a lovely sight. This topography before me can dictate the political landscape too. How so? Journalist and Broadcaster Tim Marshall's book Prisoners of Geography takes us through 10 major international "movers and shakers" and how these countries or regions are limited by the land and seascape that they live on. These areas include: Russia, China, USA, Western Europe (including UK), Africa, The Middle East, India and Pakistan, North & South Korea and Japan, Latin America and the Artic.

Tim has been all over the world reporting on the most unhospitable war zones, areas of civil unrest, genocide and many other international crises. Since retiring he has gone on to become a specialist in International Affairs and Geo-politics and authored a number of books such as 'The Power of Geography', 'Divided', 'Worth Dying For', 'Shadowplay' and this book 'Prisoners of Geography'. After Sir John Scarlett's Foreword, we are treated to a brief introduction on why our landscape is so important to leaders. For example, Russian President Putin believes that as Western Europe is but a mainly flat landscape, he must continually try and have the upper hand militarily. The war in Ukraine is an example of his personal ethos - attack first and hard then don't bother asking question later.

When discussing America, Tim highlights how the Taliban and Al-Qaida were always going to win the war in Afghanistan - it's many impassable mountain ranges. These groups understood the geography they had lived in for thousands of years but the Americans where mainly used to wide flat landscapes and cities not deserts and intense dry arid heat. He also discusses why Russia hates NATO so much - as of 2004 nearly all former states that were part of the USSR are now NATO members (bar Russia of course) and the remaining few look like they are in the process of gaining full membership - no wonder Putin sees this pact as a large thorn in his side. And this is one thorn that he blamed fully on former President Mikhail Gorbachev.

It's not just hotly contested land boundaries that separate countries and their leaders and but the 5 major oceans do so too. Look at the ongoing disputes raging in the South China Sea, Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean, The Mediterranean Sea, The Black Sea and the Antarctic Ocean to name just a few. Blockading ports, land grabbing on neighbouring states coastlines, using 'enemy' nation states seas as nuclear testing grounds or paying for infrastructure or trade free zones in countries who can not afford to say no are just as prevalent now as they have ever been. Yes in the 1700 to early 1900's Britain had its empire as did Spain, France and Denmark but the late 20th and 21st centuries have seen China stamp its might over the globe - not like Russia by being physically aggressive but by using stealth and pressure tactics that are far more affective at allowing President Xi to achieve his own narcissistic and underhanded goals.

This 319 page hard and paper back book is well worth the read. It's a No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller and has outstanding reviews by leading national and international newspapers and magazines, former heads of government, political sources and fellow journalists. He is passionate about what he writes and understands his topic just as well as any academic professor. Tim tries to get us the reader involved in the book from the get go, building our own knowledge base on current affairs and geopolitical topography. He writes in plain English, in simple terms and keeping us lay people in mind when explaining difficult concepts. Whether you are going on holiday, regularly commute to work or school or need a new bed time read - I can not recommend this book enough. I loved reading it from start to finish and I am sure you will too!

PRISONERS OF GEOGRAPHY - TEN MAPS THAT TELL YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GLOBAL POLITICS by TIM MARSHALL

PUBLISHED IN 2015, 2016 & 2019

ISBN: 978-1-78396-243-3 Publishing house: Elliott & Thompson www.eandtbooks.com RRP ￡9.99

AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS, LARGE SUPERSTORES AND ONLINE. CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY FOR LENDING

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