Review of 'Prisoners of Geography'

Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall

I find Geopolitics fascinating. How geography has effected nations and their politics over the millennia. In “Prisoners of Geography” (subtitled “Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics”, though, technically, there more than 10 maps…) journalist Tim Marshall walks us through the geography that has shaped the historical and political environments of ten different regions: “Russia”, “China”, “USA”, “Western Europe”, “Africa”, “The Middle East”, “India and Pakistan”, “Korea and Japan”, “Latin America”, and finally, “The Arctic”. Since original publication Marshall has revised and updated the book to reflect the events and politics of the current day so this is bang up to date and completely relevant in explaining world events we now see unfolding.

Discussion of such things could come across as someone just saying what they think but Marshall clearly explains his reasoning in the Geopolitical context and, I have to admit, what he is saying makes a lot of sense to me and really does explain what is going on in the world around us (we are indeed largely “prisoners of geography”). He seldom adds his own opinions but occasionally does lapse into vitriol on points he obviously feels passionate about which are generally where people have been particularly stupid.

“Prisoners of Geography” is surprisingly readable and is highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding the modern world.

Rating: “I have absolutely no complaints”

Review Date: 2025-09-27

Genre: Non-Fiction

Publisher: Elliot & Thompson

Publication Date: 2019

ISBN: 9781783962433