It took me a while to get into this book but as a historian/ geographer I was rather fascinated by the content in the end. There is a cross over between politics, history and geography with all major world stages covered.

i love books like this, going into detail and explaining things that i previously had no interest in. really interesting and i'd recommend

This is a well researched, well written, fascinating book and if history and geography had been taught in school using these examples I would’ve understood a lot more. It seems extra apposite at the moment given a certain person trying to rename chunks of the world and deciding he can throw people out and build hotels. Paul Richardson shows that so much in the world is arbitrary and it’s the cliche of ‘history being written by the victors’. Especially white western men.

Who decided what country is in what continent? Who decides where boundaries are? How can people ‘discover’ countries which have always been there and are already populated? There’s lots on colonialism, on Chinese control, Russian encroachment and it’s all clear and understandable even to a layperson.

One quote Richardson uses is from historian David Ludden, "we have come to imagine that mobility is border crossing, as though borders came first, and mobility, second. The truth is more the other way round."

An excellent, enlightening, thought provoking read which should be read by politicians and anyone interested in borders and power.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

This is a fascinating book full of historical, mythological, political and geographical "facts" which are all open to re-interpretation and have been revised over the millennia. What exactly is a continent, how many are there and where exactly are the boundaries? These questions and more are pondered on by the author which gives the reader much food for thought! You thought you knew the answers but things are never as simple as once thought, and maybe those school geography lessons really do need some revision? Of course, we understand that our planet is always in a state of flux - continents have drifted apart, changed shape and may even come back together again. Mountain ranges have been thrown up and then eroded by the elements over the geological ages. Ice sheets come and go and seas dry up, coastlines erode and new volcanic islands are born.

Then there is the human element, man has invaded and conquered lands, fought over boundaries and drawn arbitrary lines in the sand which have divided tribal groups and we are reaping the results of this in the tensions of today. Empires have risen and fallen and all have left a legacy in the human geography of those once conquered lands. The search for natural resources has been and is a major factor in the invasion of lands and the subjugation of the native peoples.

The author gives a brief history of geography and the maps of the ancient Greeks who had a very different, and limited, view of the world. Then takes us up to date with the struggles in Ukraine and the Middle East, where again, maps and boundaries may one day change again.

Altogether, a fascinating book which will give the reader pause for thought plus the realisation that our world is not necessarily as we thought we knew it. Well worth a read.

A bracingly new perspective on history

Humans are such visual animals, and in this refreshing book of history, sociology and politics, Richardson guides us through the truths and lies that past and present visual representations of our world have given us, shaping the world for both good and ill. Illustrated with a dazzling array of maps, diagrams and artwork, this book covers the entire world, from exploring the seemingly cut and dried fundamental of what a continent is, to what sovereignty really means.

For readers interested in what has shaped and continues to shape the world, this is one of my top ten non-fiction books of the year and in a year with so many treasures on display.

A triumphant five stars.

Fascinating read that shakes-up the reader's perception of some key geographic myths, like Russian expansionism, and is full of intriguing facts like the country nobody rules and one that issues passports, despite having no borders.

Tim Marshall has shown there is a readership for informative and questioning books on geopolitics and human geography. Myths of Geography is recommended if you enjoyed any of Tim Marshall's books or have an interest in how geography is key to how the world is as it is now.

In Myths of Geography: Eight Ways We Get the World Wrong, Paul Richardson unpicks some of geographical determinism's most established claims and invites the reader to reassess how they view the world and its inhabitants. 

I found the first chapter, which focuses on the origins of the accepted continents and the fallacy of dividing the Earth along such arbitrary lines, to be utterly fascinating. Richardson combines the immutable facts of the Earth's physical geography with an in-depth understanding of Eurocentrism and its impact on the world to expose the concept of continents for the convenient fairy tale it is. 

Unfortunately, I found many of the other chapters far less compelling. Some myths (such as the myth of borders) the author doesn't seem to consider weighty enough concepts to sustain a whole chapter's discourse, and instead devolves into histories of very specific places and periods of history, like Hadrian's Wall; others (such as the New Silk Road) expect a degree of understanding of less well-established concepts which is unlikely in the average lay reader, rendering these chapters a lot less accessible. Conversely, I found the lengthy sections about Brexit tedious as they felt like a retread of ideas that have been widely discussed for over eight years. 

Additionally, Richardson does not do much to link the disparate chapters together in order to reinforce why all the points that he makes matter. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Myths of Geography” by Paul Richardson is an outstanding and thought-provoking exploration of how geography shapes—and is shaped by—our political, cultural, and historical narratives. Richardson’s approach is both refreshing and nuanced, dismantling simplistic notions of geographical determinism while still appreciating geography’s undeniable influence on human affairs. His ability to weave together historical context, political theory, and cultural analysis makes this book an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the deeper forces behind global power dynamics.

Richardson’s arguments are a perfect counterpoint to the geographical determinism popularized by Tim Marshall in works like Prisoners of Geography. While Marshall emphasizes the constraints imposed by physical geography, Richardson delves into the human interpretations of these constraints, showing how myths, ideologies, and political agendas shape our understanding of geography itself. This broader perspective allows for a richer appreciation of the interplay between land and human agency.

Can both perspectives be valid? Absolutely. Richardson and Marshall highlight different facets of the same coin. Marshall’s determinism explains why certain regions face persistent challenges, while Richardson reminds us that human agency, culture, and historical context play equally critical roles in defining those challenges. Together, their approaches offer a more holistic understanding of how geography and geopolitics intersect.

If you’re looking for a book that challenges your assumptions and invites you to see the world through a different lens, Myths of Geography is a must-read. It’s not just a book; it’s a journey into the complexities of our world.

Paul Richardson’s Myths of Geography is an invigorating exploration of how geographic myths have long distorted our understanding of the world. By dissecting widely held beliefs—from Europe’s supposed centrality to fears of Russian expansion—Richardson invites readers to question the maps, borders, and narratives that have been accepted as truth.

This compelling work does more than debunk myths; it encourages critical thinking about the ways politics, history, and economics influence our perceptions. Richardson traverses fascinating terrains, from Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park to the unclaimed Bir Tawil in North Africa, illustrating the disconnect between how maps represent the world and how it truly operates. He also examines the New Silk Road, debates around sovereignty, and entrenched stereotypes, particularly the pervasive Eurocentric bias that hinders African success stories.

Structured around eight essays, the book critiques the notion of geographical determinism. Richardson argues persuasively that these myths are rooted in historical and political agendas that no longer serve a rapidly changing world. Through a lens that combines geography, history, and socio-political analysis, he dismantles the white male-dominated narratives of empire, GDP-centric definitions of success, and artificial borders that have perpetuated inequalities.

Written with passion and wit, Myths of Geography is a provocative call to rethink the frameworks shaping our global perspectives. It is a rallying cry for curiosity and questioning, urging readers to shed preconceived notions and embrace alternative interpretations of our shared history and geography.

For those seeking a deeper understanding of the world’s complexities—or simply a book that will ignite conversations and challenge your worldview—this is an essential read. Whether you’re an academic, a policymaker, or simply curious about global affairs, Richardson’s insights will leave you questioning the very foundations of what you think you know.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

There is a part of sub-Saharan Africa which belongs to no country and there is a passport issuing authority which has no state. Our perceptions of geography are based on out of date maps and long held misconceptions which Richardson is keen to debunk. In our rapidly changing economic world, geography is a more fluid concept and this clever book explores these ideas. I found the book short but intense, it challenges and also make me want to travel more.

This was a fascinating book and left me room for much additional thought. I was quite drawn in about how the familiar continents became that way and how our view is all a matter of view from a pretty narrow perspective dating back centuries. Another particularly interesting section for me was the one on measuring growth, I think a part of me has been aware of this in some very general way but seeing it spelled out did make me see it more clearly. GDP doesn't necessarily reflect what we think it does and definitely is not a reflection of how successful a country is in the world picture. I think overall the book challenges our modern perceptions of aspect of geography. There's quite a bit of manipulation involved and what we "know" is often down to a few people creating the definition we believe today.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and rate it four stars. I would like to thank Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for giving me an advanced readers copy. I have provided my review under no obligation.

A fascinating read covering not only the myths of geography, but politics, history, society and more.
I would put this book down to look up ideas mentioned and then go off on a tangent of learning every time.
The author is highly knowledgeable on many subjects and I learnt a great deal from this book.
Highly recommend as my top non fiction read of 2024!

I decided to request this book after challenging myself to read more nonfiction work.
There were a few times within the book where I felt my interested waning and kept checking how long of the book I had left. Whilst it was a short book; I felt that because I wasn't enjoying it, it was dragging on. This is definitely a book to be read slowly and in chunks rather than all in one go.
That being said, I'm happy I tried this book and can positively say that this book taught me something new.

My initial thoughts on this book felt decidedly negative as the text seemed an attack on Britain from a hater of the UK, which got my hackles up. It felt like a far left, liberal university lecture against Brexit, the Tories (especially Boris Johnson), self-governance and any desire to curb migration. Fully in support of any country wanting to be out from under the yoke of British, Russian or Chinese control but failing to see that logic also applies to the UK regarding the EU? No longer wanting to be a fully paid up member of the EU club does not mean turning our back on Europe or not cooperating. It seemed short sighted and, well, rude.

I was able to relax into the book when I saw the author seemed to attack everyone from American Trumpism, Russia and China. If I were of these places I would feel equally aggrieved, though the bashing of the UK felt especially personal. Slavery, is a good example. From this text you might believe the UK was the only country in human history to garner wealth trafficking slaves. The Arabs and Vikings, to name a few, got off scot-free.

Needless to say, Myths of Geography got off to a bumpy start for me but I did grow to appreciate it more as the focus shifted to Russia, China and Africa. It's easy to paint Russia and China as enemies, and they may well be, but it is far more difficult to understand them. I found the insight here thought provoking and fascinating. I love Africa and have seen first hand China's meddling in her countries from the building of roads, airports and infrastructure so China can extract minerals, etc, to the great debt it burdens African countries with. It is worrying but not unlike what all colonisers did hundreds of years ago. But now it feels worse because we are so aware of these activities and can see the damage it does to indigenous peoples, their lands and seas, and the wider world.

This is an interesting book with a different slant. Its premise is that all we have learned from geography, especially from maps, is wrong. The author makes some very cogent points that cause the reader to question all we know about things like continents. How many are there and where does one end and another begin. I think by now we are well versed in plate tectonics but this turns even that on its ear.

And if the reader is to accept some of the points that are made, how does that impact so many other ways we see ourselves and our world. If we stop looking at things in the “old ways’ will that help to bring the world together and put paid to some of the attitudes and beliefs that colour our thinking. It is thought provoking and certainly had me looking at some of my perceptions differently.

Four purrs and two paws up.

Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐

Review:
✨It is really hard to write this review because it is non-fiction and about topics that I’m not really familiar with, making it a heavy read.
✨I’m reading this as a total beginner, a reader that is interested to learn more about what is discussed in this book.
✨The author presented several topics/questions as myths, but for me, I rather see them as another point of view of how we see the world today.
✨I learn a lot of new events and information related to geography, history and politics from various parts of the globe.
✨Because I am unfamiliar with topics discussed in this book, I try my very best to understand them. Plus, I personally agree with some opinions presented in the writing.
✨In my opinion, this book is written to challenge our current way of thinking on how we perceive the world. Personally from my reading, this book is a type of book that you read a bit then you stop to think before continuing. The process is repeated until the end of the book.
✨In conclusion, I do recommend this book for any readers that are interested in topics of geography, history and politics. However, it is totally an academic book, I would say.
✨Lastly, *side-eye* to the British Museum.
✨Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for this ARC!

Myths of Geography is an interesting and thought provoking book of eight essays - Continents, Borders, Nation states, Sovereignty, Measuring growth (GDP), Russian Expansionism, China's New Silk Road (BRI), and 'Africa beyond colonial cliches'.

I read it like a coffee table book, in small chunks, so that I could fully understand the myths and would recommend it anyone interested in geography or who just wants to expand their knowledge.

Thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my advanced ecopy in exchange for a review. This was an interesting non fiction book and I did learn a lot of new and interesting facts about the geography of the world. The book covered topics such as continents, borders and sovereignty. It dispelled some myths and also deep delved into subjects I had never considered or even heard about before. It was an interesting book and I haven't read anything like this before. It explored Russia and the New Silk Road from China. It had information about the history of the UK too. I enjoyed this book and will be recommending to others.

This was a deep dive for me, reminding me of many 'facts' I'd learned years ago, which have either shifted or been shown again in new light. It's a book to make you think, certainly, in these strangely shifting modern times, it resonates. I enjoyed it - it is well explained and clearly written.

There's a great saying. It takes one desperate generation to change history.

That's what this book feels like it unravels. All the geography we are taught is challenged and it really opens your eyes to other possibilities and intent.

It's clear alot of care and research went into this book and it's a great read for anyone in search of truths.