The Silk Roads A History of the Great Trading Routes Between East and West

Traversing snowy mountain passes, vast, forbidding deserts, and stormy seas, the Silk Roads were about much more than the movement of goods: they paved the way for an unprecedented period of cultural exchange, diplomacy, and conflict, creating a legacy that continues to affect global geopolitics in the 21st century. Forged over millennia through a desire for enterprise, these trading routes have had a profound influence on Eurasia and beyond, connecting cultures, languages, customs, and religions. And with China now working to reopen this ancient trade network, the time is right to shine a new light on its history and impact. With helpful timelines and useful information boxes, The Silk Roads gives you everything you need to master the history of this world-changing region.