Post #1 Pages 1-20

     When Americans think of their country's involvement in the ill-defined region known as the Middle East, they will likely call to mind the events of 9/11 and the Iraq War. But America has had constant and significant interaction with the Middle East almost since our nation's origin. Our exchanges with the region, which includes West Asia and much of North Africa depending on who you ask, have resulted in such important events as the creation of the U.S. Navy and the drafting of the Constitution. Michael B. Oren contends that there are three primary factors in these exchanges: power, faith, and fantasy. The American government has pursued its interests in the Middle East through use of power, whether that power be political, financial, or militaristic. Many interactions between the Middle East and the US have been based on religion. Some of the earliest American travelers to the region were missionaries and zionists. Lastly, the fantastical depictions of the Arab world found in A Thousand and One Arabian Nights drew drew adventure-seeking explorers. 

Book #10: Who Rules the World? by Noam Chomsky

Pages: 320

Published: 2016

From the Boston Globe: "How did we ever get to be an empire? The [musings] of Noam Chomsky―America's most useful citizen―are the best answer to that question."

From Loyd Eskildson: "Prominent researchers in the U.S. have produce compelling evidence that 'economic elites and organized groups have substantial independent impact on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or none.' Other studies have demonstrated that the large majority of the population at the lower end of the income/wealth [spectrum] are effectively excluded from the political system, while a tiny sector at the top has overwhelming influence, and that over a long period, campaign funding is a good predictor of policy choices. One consequence is large numbers not [participating in the democratic process], and 'class-skewed abstention rates.' Meanwhile, environmental and nuclear threats continue to grow."

I am interested in this book because it shows how the geopolitical scene changes as the U.S. adopts more imperial practices. Through this book I would hope to learn what factors specifically shape relations between different countries and what allows nations to accumulate international power and influence. 

Book #9: The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America's Man-Made Landscape by James Howard Kunstler

Pages: 304

Published: 1994

From Library Journal: "In this spirited, irreverent critique, Kunstler spares none of the culprits that have conspired in the name of the American Dream to turn the U.S. landscape from a haven of the civic ideal into a nightmare of [gaudy] commercial production and consumption. Kunstler strips the bark off the utopian social engineering promoted by the machine-worshiping Modern movement of Gropius, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright and skewers the intellectual camps (e.g., Venturi) that have thrived on making academic glory of the consumer wasteland. With the [passion] of an investigative reporter and in the [pros] of a tabloid journalist, Kunstler [highlights] the insidious "car lobby" and gives case studies of landscapes as diverse as Detroit, Atlantic City, and Seaside, Florida, to illustrate both the woes and hopeful notes. The ideas in this book are not new (Jane Jacobs and William H. Whyte Jr. were bemoaning the loss of civic life a quarter-century ago), but Kunstler gives their case an urgent, popular voice. An eminently relevant and important book; highly recommended."

From Shannon B.: "Geography of Nowhere is a wonderful, life-changing book. I wish I could make every developer, every SUV owner and every town council read this book. Its main topic is the physical environments that Americans live in, in contrast to our historical environments and to [the environments of other countries]. Kunstler [demonstrates] how the advent of the automobile has changed the [image] of cities, small-towns and birthed the suburb. The choice to live without [a car] is now a very difficult one for most people, and also comes with certain social assumptions. Yet, after reading Geography of Nowhere, I am [searching for] ever more ways to take public transportation and reduce my reliance on a vehicle that both pollutes the natural environment and despoils the man-made environment.

Some chapters in the book focus on cities gone wrong, such as Detroit. Others discuss the ideal community, involving mixed-use neighborhoods (both purpose - commercial, residential, industrial - and class - working, professional, wealthy). Kunstler makes the case that prior to the development of suburbia and the reign of automobiles as our primary form of transportation, we had a kinder, cleaner, and [better organized] world. Disney World's Main Street was used as an example of how car-free neighborhoods have become an American dream, and at the same time, few people understand why cars have had such a negative effect. Geography of Nowhere has confirmed my [decision] to live in a city with public transportation, in a mixed-use neighborhood, within walking distance of most of my needs. It may be more expensive and it may be unconventional, but I now have the evidence to back up my convictions."

This book shows how geography itself is to some degree dynamic. It seems to give insight into how geography impacts the development of a political system within a specific country. 

Book #8: Understanding the Cultural Landscape by Dr. Bret Wallach

Pages: 406

Published: 2005

From Peirce F. Lewis, Department of Geography (Emeritus), Pennsylvania State University: "Understanding the Cultural Landscape is a tour de force--a splendid example of the [engaging], clear, and attractive writing that scholarly prose should be, but so seldom is. Bret Wallach, one of America's most [talented] geographers, has revived a noble but long-neglected tradition of cultural geography, deeply [entrenched] in history and an amazing range of geographic facts. For intellectually curious students of the human condition, this is a profoundly important book."

From Gretchen Foster: "An entertaining read that is [exceptionally] written and [simple] to follow. This book is an educational story of cultural development."

I would want to read this book because it offers an explanation of how geography shapes culture. Because cultural differences conjure a significant amount of political strife, looking at these differences at their origin would provide valuable insight into how geography impacts global politics. 

Book #7: The Power of Place: Geography, Destiny, and Globalization's Rough Landscape by Harm J. de Blij

Pages: 304

Published: 2010

From Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University: "The Power of Place is a tour-de-force, a [captivating] and deeply knowledgeable account of the [essential] ways in which 'place', the Earth's physical geography, shapes global society. The world, we learn, is not flat but is indeed a rugged terrain, in which climate, topography, natural [dangers], pathogens and much more, shape economy, politics, language, culture, and power. The Power of Place is a treat for the specialist and a thrilling eye-opener for the general reader." 

From Doomdayer520: "de Blij applies geographic theory to topics like health, literacy, urbanization, and many others with surprising connections to cultural and physical geography. The book contains many excellent maps and de Blij writes in [an accessible] style. Granted, de Blij's thoughts on religious conflict seem rather simplistic, and the closing chapter on proposed solutions to geographic problems is a bit unfocused, with vague prescriptions that don't line up with the details of the previous chapters. But otherwise, this is a rewarding book for those [fascinated by] the diversity of the world's peoples and their experiences, and you'll find that the world is only "flat" for certain economic elites. For everyone else, geography [establishes] many "rough" cultural and economic landscapes that will preserve not just diversity but also inequality."

This book not only shows how contemporary problems are linked to geography, but also suggests solutions to the tribulations it discusses. 

Book #6: Why Geography Matters: More Than Ever by Harm J. de Blij

Pages: 368

Published: 2012

From National Geographic Maps: "A provocative, fast-paced book that interprets the world through the dynamic discipline of geography. The remarkable chapter on Africa is at once compelling and tragic, but also cautiously [optomistc]. If you think that geography [is dull], try this book and you'll discover insights you've never encountered before."

From Roman P: "I recently returned from delivering a series of lectures at the Library of Alexandria, Egypt. Over 2300 years ago, the ancient library was the cradle of learning embracing many sciences and disciplines, including cartography and geography. Even thousands of years ago, the great thinkers and intellectuals of the time had an insatiable curiosity for the world, and attempted to understand the essential relationships between people and places. Following my lecture, there was a question and answer session. The audience included students and academics, many of whom had participated in the epic street protests that toppled the [three decade] dictatorship of Mubarak. It was inspiring how geographically literate and spatially aware these young people are - especially in terms of understanding and explaining the social, economic and geo-political forces driving their revolution with its historic changes but also great risks and uncertainties. As the discussions unfolded in Alexandria, I found myself constantly referencing many of the ideas and concepts [laid out] in this magnificent book - and its earlier version, Why Geography Matters? How often can you say that a contemporary book directly supports and explains complex world events such as those [taking place] across the Arab World and elsewhere for that matter. For anyone trying to understand our complex and [changing] world - geography REALLY matters - and this book offers not only a unique [array] of concepts and ideas, but links them clearly and directly to world events. This includes those in progress like the Arab Spring and remarkably, the book offers detailed insights into how these events might unfold in future impacting not only the host regions but the wider inter-connected world. Enlightening, inspirational, sobering in places, full of wit and wisdom and simply, an essential read."

I'd like to study this book because it provides direct links between geography and global trends and events. 

Book #5: In Europe's Shadow: Two Cold Wars and a Thirty-Year Journey Through Romania and Beyond by Robert D. Kaplan

Pages: 336

Published: 2016

From the Wall Street Journal: “Kaplan is one of America’s [most prominent] writers on the [subject]. . . . In a series of deep [analyses of] the region’s past—Byzantine, Ottoman, Habsburg and Soviet—he finds parallels and echoes that help us understand the present.”

From Patrick M: "Kaplan's memory-logue about Romania, the Cold War, the history of totalitarianism, is worth reading for the way he remembers and examines the grey, monolithic, yet [intimidating] world of Eastern European communism. He does touch on many writers, may views, and this can be name-dropping, as [other critics] noted, but I think of this rather as a struggle to [establish] an intellectual frame for his memories."

I find this book fascinating because it gives an account of how one country changes over time. Though physical locations are static, this book appears to demonstrate how the political structure of one area can shift over a number of decades. 

Book #4: Asia's Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific by Robert D. Kaplan

Pages: 256

Published: 2015

From Booklist: "Foreign affairs scholar Kaplan considers the geopolitics of the South China Sea and makes a compelling argument that the strategically important body of water is likely to become the “Mitteleuropa of the twenty-first century,” a flashpoint for future regional power struggles with serious international [ramifications]. There are several reasons for this: a broad shift away from land wars in favor of less overt maritime territorial claims, China’s [gradual] but unrelenting military buildup, the sheer volume of tonnage passing through the South China Sea, and [reducing] American budgets and appetite for global naval hegemony. Though much of the groundwork for his thesis was laid in Monsoon (2010), his book on the Indian Ocean, here Kaplan pays particular attention to Vietnam (the region’s emergent power), Malaysia (its success story), the Philippines (its failed state), and Taiwan (its “Berlin”). In support of some of his conclusions, he offers statistics and the logic of realpolitik; for others, travel-diary anecdotes or historical, even classical, analogy. The result is a riveting, multitextured [presentation of] an underexamined region of the world and, perhaps, at the “anxious, complicated world” of the future."

From Arnold: "Kaplan provides a compelling chef’s tour of the South China Sea. He has a knack for drawing out the essential political and cultural [traits] of each country without veering into essentialism. I found his chapter on Malaysia – ironically, one of the less consequential disputants in the region – to be particularly insightful in its ability to [explain] the potential contradictions in Malaysian modernity and Malay Islam. I found the discussion of each government’s attitude towards military power to be particularly illuminating. Kaplan seems able to obtain [genuine] insights from key policymakers about their country’s relationship with China and the U.S."

I chose this book because it offers insight into the geopolitics of a specific region and discusses contemporary issues as well as possible future conflicts. From this book I would hope to learn how to recognize patterns in international relations and how future conflicts are predicted. 

Book #3: The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate by Robert D. Kaplan

Pages: 448

Published: 2012

From the New York Review of Books: “[An] ambitious and challenging new book . . . [The Revenge of Geography] displays a formidable grasp of [modern] world politics and serves as a powerful reminder that it has been the [globe's] geophysical configurations, as much as the flow of competing religions and ideologies, that have [directed] human conflicts, past and present.”

From Peter Monks: "Overall, "The Revenge of Geography" offers an [accessible], thought-provoking read that [provides] some interesting and unconventional - and largely optimistic - perspectives on the world we live in. While I doubt that every reader will agree with all of Kaplan's [opinions] and arguments, this is a distinctly original look at our world and a book I highly recommend."

This book appeals to me because it seems to offer a strong summary of the forces that influence geopolitics. Through this book I would hope to learn the basic underlying principles that shape human interaction across the globe. 

Book #2: Prisoners of Geography: 10 Maps That Explain Everything About The World by Tim Marshall

Pages: 304

Published: 2015

Review from Survival: Global Politics and Strategy: "Lively and perceptive political and historical analyses are frequent. The chapter on China is excellent; the chapter on Africa combines geography and history in a convincing way; the chapter on Western Europe...is a brilliant [summary] of European relations,particularly between France and Germany. The [compelling] chapter on the Middle East makes for a clear indictment of the Sykes–Picot agreements and of their tracing of artificial borders. The chapter on the Arctic is precise and informative ...A very lively, sensible and informative series of country reports in which geography occupies its [proper] place along with shrewd historical reminders and political judgments." 

From James Denny: "Using physical geography with a bit of climatology thrown in, author Tim Marshall explains Planet Earth's geo-politics in a refreshing and stimulating way. His structure is to lay out ten maps of continents and countries and to delve into the specifics of oceans, rivers, mountains, deserts and climate to explain how some countries have expanded [significantly] (Russia), others not at all (Korea) and why certain places in the world lend themselves to strife and conflict, while others lead to greater economic opportunity, cooperation, [commerce] and stability.

"Prisoners of Geography" is a bold work. Some readers may think that Marshall's approach is reductionist in a 19th century sort of way, that everything can be explained by geo-determinism. I found it quite the opposite. Marshall's analysis of [Asia] (one of his ten maps) and of India and Pakistan (another of the ten) explain how in these situations, two different nation-states and cultures butt-up against each other and unfortunately are stuck in a permanent dance pose that neither wants to be in."

I selected this book because it seems to offer a broad and comprehensive overview of the topic. Through examples spanning most continents, Marshall teaches readers about how geography affects the development of governments and how governments interact with one another. 

Book #1: Power, Faith and Fantasy by Michael B. Oren

Pages: 612

Published: 2007

From Jay Freeman of Booklist: "This engrossing, informative, and frequently surprising survey of U.S. involvement in the Middle East over the past 230 years is particularly timely. Oren, a frequent contributor to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and New Republic, illustrates that American interests have frequently [merges] elements of romanticism, religious fervency, and hardheaded power politics. In the early nineteenth century, [Thomas] Jefferson, perhaps acting against his own instincts to remain aloof from the affairs of the Old World, sent the [nascent] American navy to confront the Barbary pirates off the coast of North Africa. Like many of our future endeavors in the region, the results were a mixture of success, failure, and farce. Other episodes covered here that are particularly interesting include previously obscure American efforts to locate the source of the Nile and the efforts by American missionaries to convert vast numbers of Ottoman subjects. But Oren is at his best when describing American involvement in the twentieth century as the U.S. replaced Britain as the dominant "imperial" power in the area. Appealing to both scholars and general readers." Jay Freeman

From J. A. Magill: "Few fields have been as well plowed as that of Middle East studies. Indeed, the ever expanding shelf in the bookstore on the topic [sags] under the weight of a torrent of new works, many which might be charitably described as [superfluous]. What a thrill then when a new book appears covering otherwise undisturbed ground!

Michael Oren's excellent "Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East: 1776 to the Present" is such a book. Instead of covering familiar subjects, Mr. Oren offers an insightful study of an area few consider, America's relationship to the Middle East in the 19th Century. Many will surely wonder at how any author can squeeze more than 600 pages - not including footnotes and bibliography -- over a topic that you might suspect could be covered in scant pages. Such is the wonderful surprise that Oren offers. In gripping prose that will be familiar with those who have already read his definitive history of the Six Day War, Oren traces America's involvement in the Middle East and North Africa all the way back to the Revolutionary War period."

This book interests me because it is an examination of very specific interactions between two vastly differing regions. By providing concrete examples of the development of political and commercial relationships, Oren teaches readers of the origins of some of the most tenuous modern political ties. 

Introduction

     The physical location of governments is perhaps the most significant force which shapes geopolitics. Availability of natural resources and proximity to other political entities largely determine the direction and outcome of international affairs. Through this book search, I will be looking at how governments relate to one another and the impact of geography on these relations. My first choice of book is Power, Faith, and Fantasy by Michael B. Oren, a former professor at Harvard and Yale. This book details the development and progression of U.S. relations with the Middle East. I chose this book because Oren provides a succinct but nonetheless thorough account of his subject, and remains fairly objective in his writing. If for some reason this book proves unsuited for this project, I intend to read Tim Marshall's Prisoners of Geography: 10 Maps That Explain Everything About The World. Judging by reviews, it appears as though this book provides a comprehensive overview of political geography as a concept.