The Ends of the Earth
Traveled in 1994, printed in 1996,
The
Ends of the Earth is a gripping and sobering look at the other
hemisphere in all its utter remoteness: physical, cultural,
ideological. Journalist Robert D. Kaplan reports from Western
Africa, the Fertile Crescent, and southern Asia from street level,
seeing sights and hearing voices that you and I can barely imagine.
He questions the validity of borders in areas where clan and
culture rule -- I'm sure he would quite agree with yesterday's
Squiggly Border
announcement.
This is a treasure of a book. Kaplan writes beautifully and does
not proselytize nor condemn. He presents facts, describes
situations fortunate and un, helps us learn from them, and warns of
the consequences of failing to pay attention.