Geography Is Destiny: Britain and the World, a 10,000 Year History

Description

Geography is Destiny tells the history of Britain and its changing relationships with Europe and the wider world, from its physical separation at the end of the Ice Age to the first flickers of a United Kingdom, struggles for the Atlantic, and rise of the Pacific Rim. Applying the latest archaeological evidence, Ian Morris explores how geography, migration, government and new technologies interacted to produce regional inequalities that still affect us today. He charts Britain's geopolitical fortunes over thousands of years, revealing its transformation from a European satellite into a state at the centre of global power, commerce, and culture. But as power and wealth shift from West to East, does Britain's future lie with Europe or the wider world?

Ian Morris teaches at Stanford University and is a Fellow of the British Academy. He is the bestselling author of Why the West Rules - For Now and War: What is it Good For? He has won awards for teaching and writing and has directed archaeological digs in Greece and Italy.

'Praise for Ian Morris: 'A great work of synthesis and argument, drawing together an awesome range of materials and authorities' - Andrew Marr 'Clever, acute and counterintuitive ... a pleasure to read' - Dominic Sandbrook 'A fresh perspective from this thought-provoking book ... Ian Morris has established himself as a leader in making big history interesting and understandable' - Jared Diamond, author 'Brilliantly argued across a huge sweep, combining history with human geography, human and natural sciences. It is a magnificent and stimulating read, and should be given to anyone involved in the business of war and peace, or the human fate in any respect - and already a book of the year' - Robert Fox 'A provocative and extraordinary contribution to wide-screen comparative history ... a true banquet of ideas' - Boyd Tonkin