Le 10 mappe che spiegano il mondo

"Perché pensate che i vostri valori funzionerebbero in una cultura che non conoscete?". Libro uscito un paio d’anni fa e, perciò, in alcuni punti è già leggermente datato o superato, soprattutto dove si parla di Medio Oriente; ma vale lo stesso la pena di leggerlo (e, tra qualche anno, anche consultarlo) per capire, dal punto di vista geografico/politico, il mondo in cui viviamo... e cosa ci riserva il futuro! Tim Marshall, espertissimo giornalista inglese di politica estera, analizza, in un modo che sia accessibile e chiaro a tutti, la situazione delle varie macro-regioni del globo terrestre partendo dalla geografia (fiumi, coste, montagne, pianure, deserti, ecc.) per spiegarci come proprio essa abbia plasmato la storia di quei territori e, di riflesso, come essa abbia plasmato la loro politica (democratica o dittatoriale che sia). Unica nota stonata (ma basta saperlo già in partenza e non ci si pensa più): l'autore parla molto degli Stati Uniti... e li piazza (dal punto di vista dei loro interessi economici e militari) un po' ovunque.

Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps that Explain Everything about the World, Tim Marshall, 2015, 263 pp. This is actually a rather shallow, cursory look at geopolitics from a standard pro–U.S.-military, neoliberal viewpoint. The ten maps are just ordinary maps of ten areas, Russia, China, U.S., W. Europ Leggi tutto

Once I read this true crime account of this serial killer and they didn’t find the bodies, I think they got him on dna, and so they ask him what did you do with the bodies. They were wondering what genius plan of disposal the guy had come up with to make ten corpses disappear without trace. And he s Leggi tutto

Several disclaimers: 1. I am a historical geographer by inclination and education, and I have taught history and geography. I have also published articles in leading scholarly journals.2. I have read the forward and the first half of the first section concerning Russia and cannot read further.3.

The premise of this book is interesting - that much of international politics is about geography. Country A doesn't go to war with country B because there is a range of mountains between them. Country C enjoys a strong trading economy because it has access to the sea. And so it goes. Most people read Leggi tutto

Tim Marshall (wiki: 'British journalist, author and broadcaster, specialising in foreign affairs and international diplomacy') uses ten maps as the focus of ten chapters not only looking at the relevant geo-politics but also heavy underlining the geographical constraints, history and Climate Change

Overall an interesting read, but little new information for anyone with more than just a passing interest in history or (geo-)politics. There is too much ''America is awesome'' and too little actual in depth information. Furthermore, the title is somewhat misleading. I had the impression that there

Have you ever thought what a complex world it is we live in? Why do some countries look to have it all whilst others seem destined to always struggle? Each country has its own history of rivalries and ancient disputes with neighbouring nations – where do these stem from? And what about the frequent Leggi tutto