The Silk Road in World History (New Oxford World History)

The Silk Road was the contemporary name for a complex of ancient trade routes linking East Asia with Central Asia, South Asia, and the Mediterranean world.
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However, climate changes and political conflicts with other nomads or with agricultural societies to the south often forced nomads out of their normal rounds. This book, although short, was way too dry for me summon up any enthusiasm for the subject.


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Mar 08, Mary rated it liked it Shelves: Valerie Hansen's Silk Road book focused fairly narrowly on the oasis towns of Central Asia, looked at specific documents or artifacts, and argued for a limited amount trade. Of the books I've read recently about this area, this was the most accessible, but also the least detailed. Wha Valerie Hansen's Silk Road book focused fairly narrowly on the oasis towns of Central Asia, looked at specific documents or artifacts, and argued for a limited amount trade.

The Silk Road in World History

What details there are are often about the "edges" - e. There is more detail about silk and sumptuary laws than there is about the process of trade or traders. Even where there are details, there isn't much in the way of quantitative information.

In retrospect, I probably should have read this book first and then tackled more detailed works on Central Asia. Aug 07, Kavya added it. But I am not quite sure how relevant each of the themes were, or whether there were any clear cut themes. The main issue with Silk Road stuff is that there seems to be no main actor who can bear the burden of agency, aside from the Han Chinese who have left written records of their imperial agents. Nov 27, Sara Razek rated it really liked it. A very engaging book on the evolution of the Silk Road, and its pivotal role in the promotion of trade and connecting empires in world history.

Also, the book offers a very good introduction to the history of Central Asia which is, unfortunately, insufficiently examined! This is history in broad strokes, over centuries. But trade must flow, and it did.


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The book is a good introduction to the importance of the Silk Road and how it impacted civilizations. Jun 30, Lucinda Davison rated it liked it. A really solid introductory book. It has a really good overview of the topics it discusses, if at some points slightly narrative. A good read though. May 16, Jameson rated it really liked it.

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Jul 12, Jenny added it. Perfect introduction to a corner of history little-known in the West. Dec 20, Mary rated it really liked it. This is a topic which while it fascinates me is not likely to be everyone's cup of tea. It mixes history, art, culture, and travel.

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Jun 03, M rated it liked it. A solid introductory history, but not indispensable. Jul 23, Ryan Patrick rated it it was ok Shelves: Justine rated it liked it Dec 01, Kucak rated it really liked it Jul 25, Meg rated it really liked it May 29, Joe Ulrich rated it really liked it May 07, Tanya rated it really liked it Jan 14, Puram Vinay rated it it was amazing Aug 31, Alisia rated it liked it Sep 09, Aaron rated it really liked it Jul 26, Transforming the Eurasian Silk Market Chapter 6.

Any general reader interested in silk or textiles will enjoy this book, but so too will one who is captivated by any other aspect of the Silk Road, for it provides a quick but fascinating historical narrative. As a textbook for a world history class, its appeal lies not only in the romance of the Silk Road but also in its use of material culture to write world history by connecting economic and political activities with the religious values of various traditions.

This is an excellent text that will be useful for orientating students and introducing them to the sources and interpretive problems of ancient and medieval Central Asian history.

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Series: The New Oxford World History

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