Best for: People interested in world politics. In a nutshell: Tim Marshall examines many (though not all) of the flags of nations, as well as flags of political movements and other organizations as a way to examine what these symbols mean to people. Worth quoting: “The people of the nations of Europe have stubbornly resisted becoming one, not because they don’t like each other but because they like themselves.” Why I chose it: I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Marshall’s examination of how geography influences world politics, […]
Geopolitics 101
Best for: Anyone interested in a basic understanding of how the earth has influenced politics across the world. In a nutshell: Author Tim Marshall breaks the world into ten regions and gives an overview of how different geographic and cultural components (rivers, deserts, mountains, harbors, tribes) have affected different political decisions. Worth quoting: “The better your relationship with Russia, the less you pay for energy; for example, Finland get a better deal than the Baltic States.” “China has locked itself into the global economy. If […]