The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
by Peter Frankopan
Why read it
It is an eye-opening history that masterfully shifts the reader's gaze away from a traditional Western-centric viewpoint, instead placing Central Asia and the ancient trade routes of the East at the very center of the global narrative. It brilliantly connects the dots across civilizations to show how ideas, religions, goods, and empires have always flowed along these pathways.
Where to get it
You can find this book at local Dutch bookstores like Athenaeum Boekhandel, Donner, and Scheltema, or order it online via Bol.com and Amazon.nl. It is widely available in public libraries (de Bibliotheek) across the Netherlands, both in English and in its Dutch translation. Ebook and audiobook versions are accessible on Kobo, Storytel, and Audible.
What to expect
Expect a sweeping, ambitious, and epic journey across thousands of years of history, organized chronologically into twenty-five thematic 'roads' (such as the Road of Faith or the Road to Ruin). While it is highly detailed and packed with scholarly insights, the writing style remains engaging, accessible, and fast-paced. It is a substantial and intellectual read, but very rewarding.
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