Prisoners of Geography

Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present and future to offer crucial insights into one of the major factors that determines world history – because if you don’t know geography, you’ll never have the full picture.

Originally published in 2015, this completely revised and updated edition brings it up to date with the events and trends of the past decade, with new material including: the Russia–Ukraine conflict and Moscow's alliances with authoritarian states; the Israel/Gaza war; China’s growing military and strategic power, and its stance on Taiwan; American global power and pivot to the Pacific; Europe’s leaning towards more extreme politics, increased defence spending, and the new ‘Iron Curtain’; Japan's remilitarisation and increasing power; great power play in Africa; and the growth of Indian economic and military power.

Prisoners of Geography is an essential primer on geopolitics, helping readers all around the globe understand what’s happening in our fast-changing world.

‘Quite simply, one of the best books about geopolitics you could imagine.’ Nicholas Lezard, Evening Standard, on Prisoners of Geography

’Sharp insights into the way geography shapes the choices of world leaders.’ Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

‘Marshall is not afraid to ask tough questions and provide sharp answers.’ Newsweek