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| | Location: Home » Middle East » General AAS » The Ends of the Earth: From Togo to Turkmenistan, from Iran to Cambodia, a Journey to the Frontiers of Anarchy | December 5, 2008 |
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| The Ends of the Earth: From Togo to Turkmenistan, from Iran to Cambodia, a Journey to the Frontiers of Anarchy | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert D. Kaplan
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
Buy New: $0.03
You Save: $15.97 (100%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (62 reviews)
Sales Rank: 122563
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 496
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 0679751238
Dewey Decimal Number: 910.91811
EAN: 9780679751236
ASIN: 0679751238
Publication Date: January 28, 1997
Release Date: January 28, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Maybe outdated, but full of interesting observations September 19, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
The Ends of the Earth reflects the experiences and thoughts of Robert Kaplan (a regular contributor to the Atlantic Monthly) while travelling in some "corners" of the world, in the mid 90s. Among others, the visited countries included Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Togo, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrzygistan, China, Pakistan, India, Thailand and Laos.
Kaplan's focus seem to be a mix of history, geopolitics and cultural travelling. He makes an effort to provide some historical context to help the reader better understand the reasons for the cultural and political situation of each place. And he is always trying to wonder what the future may bring in these not-so-well-known regions of the world.
The book might be interesting for independent travellers who want to know a little more about these places, as a complement to the typical touristic guide (like the Lonely Planet). It is also rewarding if the reader is just curious about how things were (or are) in these places. An interesting advantage is that Kaplan himself did this whole tour, and therefore his reflections have the same base. Kaplan is able to notice the difference between Uzbeks and Tajiks, the female behaviour in Iran (which seems to be slightly different that what Westerners usually would expect), and so on.
It should be noted that Kaplan's travels happened in the mid 90s. Many things have surely changed since then in many of the visited places (ex: India, Thailand, Iran, Pakistan). This does not diminish the value of the book, but must be considered to avoid misunderstandings.
I, personally, found the beginning too slow. And it took me a good while to finish the whole book.
Actually, would have given the book a 3.5 rating if I could.
Notwithstanding this, I still am glad of having read it. It gave me a view about life in these countries; something with more depth and thought than a typical travel book/blog.
However, the reader must not expect a revolutionary work that "explains everything". This is just a "intelligent travel" work, not a geopolitical analysis piece.
Great Read for those interested in travel, foreign affairs June 22, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I finished Kaplan's Ends of the Earth today. I liked the book. Kaplan has consistently been one of my favorite authors (Atlantic Monthly) His theme is consistent: many nation states are not really nation states. I felt that his comments about Iran were especially poignant, given how some view Iran as part of the "Axis of Evil". I get the sense that when this book was written, Kaplan had great hope for the future
of Iran as they struggle with theocracy.
Ecocide, or the killing of natural resources is a new topic for me that Kaplan introduces. According to Kaplan, many developing nations have traded immediate benefits for the long term health of their natural resources. His observations are very very interesting, especially his observations from the
post-Soviet nations like Uzbekistan.
Kaplan is a bold, imaginative and thoughtful writer, he is not merely another journalist or another travel writer. His message, right or wrong, is sincere and based on his own personal observations. I highly recommend this work for anyone interested on new perspectives in current affairs.
 awesome book February 20, 2006
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
very well written. tells a little bit about the history, present state, and possible future of each of the countries he visits. very interesting.
 Waste of Time August 20, 2005
5 out of 19 found this review helpful
I only read two chapters of the book before I stopped reading. I found these chapters full of cliches and sensationalized stories (at least they appear to be). They also lacked original work and rely too much on other references. As an African, I've read many such stories and I feel that such type of books fail to give one a good understanding of the continent that I know. They just reinforce the stereotypical image westerners have about Africa. If you are expecting a good and honest travel narrative book, this is not it. Don't waste your money or time.
Entering the world of then and now July 22, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have never liked history and felt often confused studying it. Robert Kaplan presents the impact of a countries history upon its present condition in a style that is engaging and "page turning". On a recent trip to Croatia I read "Balkan Ghosts" by Kaplan and couldn't put it down. When I first found access to Internet in Northern Italy I ordered every book I could find from Amazon written by Kaplan. What else can be said? "The Ends of the Earth" is broad in its scope but powerful in its analysis of troubled areas of the planet.
Todd Capen
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