Ansary offers a remarkable big-picture synthesis that draws upon geography but resists determinism, and celebrates diversity while embracing humanity’s commonalities.
... intriguing ... As an Afghan American, the San Francisco–based author draws nicely on his experiences of life in the different worlds of Islam and the secular West to help readers understand the outcomes of overlapping narratives. He examines the role of interconnections in the development of everything from board games to belief systems, science, and multinational corporations ... A well-written and valuable take on the diverse narratives that have shaped human history.
Chatty, breezy, and capacious ... This overview paints a cogent and superficially impressive picture of world history, but it doesn’t have much room for depth, complexity, and argumentation. Readers willing to take Ansary’s word for things, however, can sit back and enjoy the ride.
