Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsmodern times as a time of transition
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2019
This book concerns the modern-day intrusion of Asia (especially China) and the Middle East into dominance of the world, and the apparent loss of influence of Europe and the U.S. Russia, China and the U.S. are portrayed as modern-day empires, involved in an extremely complex game of political, economic and social influence. Various factors have significantly played into China’s hands. The extreme importance of energy and minerals have continued to keep Russia and the Middle East of central importance. It is far from clear as to what all of this means for the future of the world. Frankopan certainly projects his viewpoint, and is convincing that there is an important transition occurring in the world at this time. He presents a complex picture, and I am not sure that it gives us much insight on the big perspective over the numerous complicated details of change. Russia, China and the U.S. play the games of empires, but the world, beyond this game, has incurred changes, especially population growth (which Frankopan alludes to only very indirectly), that muddy the picture significantly. I recommend Frankopan’s book, but not strongly, for discussing a point of view that is important. It adds one piece to the puzzle of humanity today.
