![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/silk.jpg\")
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\nThis book was similar to a potluck meal or even gumbo. Why do I say that? The author covers so many aspects of history that one could stumble over themselves trying to grasp each one. He covers cultures, trades, economics, technology, religion and more. Each chapter has a specific purpose presenting his view of history \u2013 looking at the effect of the Eastern world on history.<\/p>\n
Why did he use the term \u2018Silk Road?\u201d\u00a0 In Michael R. Drompp\u2019s review of this book he states, \u201cFrankopan employs the term ‘Silk Roads,’ referring to the routes through which these exchanges occurred and extending his meaning of this term beyond the \u2018classic\u2019 Silk Roads that crossed central Eurasia to include an ultimately global network of land and sea routes.\u201d\u00a0 [1]<\/a><\/p>\n As I began determining my plan on how to read this book and understand the author’s purpose, my eyes continually focused on the term \u2018Silk Road’. I was curious of the term. As I read this book, I notice that three chapters addressed the term \u2018Silk Road’. \u00a0Since I was intrigued by this term I began to explore them. The chapters are \u00a0The Creation of Silk Road, The American Silk Road, and The New Silk Road.<\/p>\n THE CREATION OF SILK ROAD<\/p>\n Frankopan wrote, “China had opened a door leading to a trans-continental network; it was the moment of the birth of the Silk Roads.\u201d (12)\u00a0 China trading ambitions were successful, especially with the silk. \u00a0Silk is a smooth and shiny material that is Asian inspired. It was used to make clothes, purses, etc. Silk was known to be used as currency in trade.<\/p>\n Per Anthony Sattin, \u201cthe silk roads of the title are the arteries along which people, goods, ideas, religions, disease and many other things have flowed. The \u201csilk road\u201d label is relatively recent, coined only in 1877 by the German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen, uncle of the First World War flying ace, the Red Baron.\u201d [2]<\/a>\u00a0 He believed that some of Frankopan\u2019s facts were missed regarding the killing of Jews by the Muslims. He believed Frankopan’s facts that, \u201c2,000 years ago, Chinese silks were worn by the Carthaginian elite\u2026the promise of wealth has always been the engine to drive people along the silk roads, other things have been carried along with it,\u201d [3]<\/a>\u00a0was true. \u00a0The silk road was a route for international trade.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE AMERICAN SILK ROAD<\/p>\n Frankopan spoke on an American Silk Road. America began the move towards excelling in the oil industry by taking over the Anglo-Iranian\u2019s oil well\u2019s and infrastructure. America was challenged by Iran\u2019s stopping exporting oil during the 1950\u2019s, as well as, trying to prevent the oil to be controlled by the Russians. The fight and struggle over control of oil wells covered many years, including the invasion of the United States into the East because of non-supported weapons of mass destruction. Many believed afterward that it was related to the American Oil companies wanting control of the Iran’s oil wells. Frankopan states the United States would not financially support Afghanistan with military weapons and money, but the Soviet Union did. This was, according to Frankopan, the route to bringing the United States and Allied convoy into the country in the 1980\u2019s. (408)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE NEW SILK\u00a0 ROAD<\/p>\n Frankopan concluded with a narrative on the New Silk Road. He says that \u201cthe silk roads are rising again.\u201d (505)\u00a0 In 2011, The US secretary stated that its time to \u201cset our sights on a new Silk Road.\u201d (504) In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that its time for a \u2018Silk Road Economic Belt\u2019 to be built.\u201d (504) The US fashion industry is now in the East selling their products. China has re-emerged into the western area because of cheap labor. It has advanced in technology. (500)\u00a0 The East and West are interchanging in import and export of goods; many religions are in the same countries, outsourcing labor cost, partnering on important world issues, and more.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Michael R. Drompp, \u201cReview: The Silk Roads: A New History of the World, by Peter Frankopan,\u201d Studies in Late Antiquity Vol. 1 No. 2, Summer 2017, pg 100-103, accessed October 4, 2017, http:\/\/sla.ucpress.edu\/content\/1\/2\/100.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n