An abridged and illustrated young readers edition of the million-copy international bestseller Prisoners of Geography, explaining the fascinating ways geography has shaped world history with charming info-packed maps

“For curious children ages 7–15, Prisoners of Geography has lots to fascinate.”—The Wall Street Journal The secret world history written in the mountains, rivers, and seas that shape every country’s politics, economy, and international relations—and our own lives—is revealed in this illustrated young readers edition of Prisoners of Geography, the million-copy international bestseller. History is a story—and it’s impossible to tell the whole tale without understanding the setting. In this eye-opening illustrated edition of the international bestseller Prisoners of Geography, you’ll learn to spot connections between geography and world affairs in ways you never noticed before. How did the US’s rivers help it become a superpower? Why are harsh, cold and swampy Siberia and the Russian Far East two of that country’s most prized regions? How come Japan prefers to trade along the coasts instead of across its land? What do the Himalayas have to do with war? With colorful maps that capture every continent and region, plus hundreds of illustrations that illuminate how our surroundings shape us, this one-of-a-kind atlas will inspire curious minds of all ages!

“For curious children ages 7–15, Prisoners of Geography has lots to fascinate.”—The Wall Street Journal The secret world history written in the mountains, rivers, and seas that shape every country’s politics, economy, and international relations—and our own lives—is revealed in this illustrated young readers edition of Prisoners of Geography, the million-copy international bestseller. History is a story—and it’s impossible to tell the whole tale without understanding the setting. In this eye-opening illustrated edition of the international bestseller Prisoners of Geography, you’ll learn to spot connections between geography and world affairs in ways you never noticed before. How did the US’s rivers help it become a superpower? Why are harsh, cold and swampy Siberia and the Russian Far East two of that country’s most prized regions? How come Japan prefers to trade along the coasts instead of across its land? What do the Himalayas have to do with war? With colorful maps that capture every continent and region, plus hundreds of illustrations that illuminate how our surroundings shape us, this one-of-a-kind atlas will inspire curious minds of all ages!

"Originally published in Great Britain in 2021 by Elliott and Thompson Limited"--Copyright page.

First published in Great Britain in 2016 by Elliott and Thompson Limited as: Worth dying for: the power and politics of flags.

How did the USA become a superpower? Why do people go to war? And why are some countries rich while others are so poor? The answers to these questions and many more in this eye-opening book, which uses maps to explain how geography has shaped the history of our world. Discover how the choices of world leaders are swayed by mountains, rivers and seas - and why geography means that history is always repeating itself. This remarkable, unique introduction to world affairs will inspire curious young minds everywhere. Praise for Prisoners of Geography: "A fresh way of looking at maps . . . as guideposts to the often thorny relations between nations" - New York Times "One of the best books about geopolitics you could imagine" - Nicholas Lezard, Evening Standard

The New York Times–bestselling author examines the borders that shape our world in “an incisive, meticulous survey of humanity’s physical barriers” (Booklist, starred review). The globe has always been a world of walls, from the Great Wall of China to Hadrian’s Wall to the Berlin Wall. But a new age of isolationism is upon us, as evidenced by Britain’s Brexit, and growing support for a US/Mexico border wall. China holds back Western culture with the great Firewall, while European countries erect barriers against immigrants, terrorism, and currency issues. In fact, more than a third of the world’s nation-states have barriers along their borders. In The Age of Walls, Tim Marshall examines how walls and borders have been shaping our political landscape for hundreds of years and how they figure in the diplomatic relations and geo-political events of today. Written in his brisk, inimitable style, he draws on his real life experiences as a reporter from hotspots around the globe, and provides an engaging context that is often missing from political discussion.