This is the review of book ' Revenge of Geography' written by Robert D. Kaplan. The book is a really good read for those who are interested to know about Geopolitics and role of Geography as a tool for foreign policy. the book has so many historical examples which are connected to the present and provide predictions for the future. The review is short while book is more intricate, explanatory and entertaining.

1. BOOK REVIEW
BY: MEHARWAR NAJAM

2. The Revenge of Geography: What the Map
Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the
Battle Against Fate (2012) describes how
countries' respective political and social
histories have been shaped by factors like
relationship to the ocean and to terrain
features like mountains that act as natural
borders. The book also focuses on how
demographic shifts in countries will affect
them in the future.

3. ABOUT AUTHOR
• Robert David Kaplan (born June 23,
1952) is an American author. His
books are on politics, primarily foreign
affairs, and travel.
• Robert D. Kaplan is a managing
director of global macro at Eurasia
Group.
• In 2011, and 2012, Foreign Policy
magazine named Kaplan as one of the
world's "top 100 global thinkers.“

4. BASIC THEME
• The basic idea of book is Geography and its
impact on history, present and future.
• For Kaplan geography is prime
• It is a permanent factor of foreign policy
• For Kaplan geography mattered, it still
matters and will matter in future.

5. DIVISION OF BOOK
• The book is divided into 3 parts and 15 chapters
• There are three distinct sections:
• An overview of several theories of geography
• Case studies of the most important zones in the current world.
• A short prophecy of America’s own destiny.
• Starting from preface the author shares his personal experience of
journey to Iraq and Kurdistan. Author discussing the frontiers
explains the importance of natural borders like mountains.

6. PART 1 ‘ VISIONARIES’
• Morgenthau’s Realism and Geography and Maps
• Geographical imprints over history
• Geopolitical thinkers like Mackinder, Spykman
and Alfred Thayer Mahan.
• Nazi concept of lebensraum

7. Mackinder ‘Heartland Theory’
• This theory is central to book and states that ‘The
"heartland" also referred to as the "pivot area" and as the
core of Eurasia, considered all of Europe and Asia as the
World Island’
• For Mackinder whoever rules the Heartland controls the
World Island and whoever control the world island
controls the world.

8. Spykman ‘Rimland Theory’
• Spykman proposed a theory which countered Mackinder's
Heartland Theory. According to his rimland theory, the
coastal areas or littorals of Eurasia are key to controlling
the World Island, not the Heartland.
• The Rimland has great importance coming from its
demographic weight, natural resources, and industrial
development.

10. PART 2 ‘THE EARLY 21ST
CENTURY MAP’
• This part is based on individual case studies of regions.
• These include Europe, Russia, Iran, India, Turkey and
other Middle Eastern states.
• Russian insecurities
• China rise
• India’s instability and divisions
• Iranian Pivot

11. • Europe: . According to Kaplan Germany and Greece will play a greater
role in Europe since Germany is in heart of Europe which is
demographically and economically more developed than France and
Italy. Greece is important due to its access to seaboards to
Mediterranean.
• Russia: Its flatness, harsh cold weather, lack of natural borders with
sea access which is mainly blocked by arctic ice has created a sense of
insecurity in Russian mentality Repeated expansion and collapse over
a flat land are a feature of its history. He points out that today Russia's
power lies in its huge natural resources, for instance oil and natural
gas, which it uses for political as well as economic objectives.

12. • China: China is the most favoured country by geography. It is Eurasia
largest continental nation and has coastlines in both tropic and
temperate zones. Explained China’s dynasties and its development.
Today China main concern is to feed its huge population and sustain
its economic growth. This drives China to form relations with resource
rich countries.
• India: He points out that India maybe internally vast but the river
system divides India. India has lacked political integrity due to
invasions for both West and Central Asia further destabilizing it
throughout history.

13. • Iran: described three main features of it: Arabian
Peninsula dominated by Saudi Arabia, Iranian plateau
dominated by Iran and Anatolian land bridge. He
traces Iranian (Persian) history back to the Medes and
then the Achaemenid Empire. Iran's geographic
position makes it a real 'pivot'
• Middle east in terms of location, population and energy
resources is fundamental to geopolitics. The region has
70% of the world's oil and 40% of its natural gas
reserves.

14. PART 3 ‘AMERICA’S DESTINY’
• Author engage with French historian Fernand Braudel with his work
‘The Mediterranean and The Mediterranean world in age of Phillip’.
Braudel emphasises the impact of geography, demography and
environment in course of history.
• He draws attention of US policymakers towards real geopolitical
issues and ask to avoid long term land wars in Greater Middle East.
• He made a comparison of Roman empire to US and points out
strategies that Rome adopted in work ‘the grand strategy of Roman
empire, from 1st century A.D to 3rd century’ by Edward Luttwak.

15. • As Rome fell due to grouping at north, America should also
prepare itself for a graceful exit from history as it faced
dangers from Southwest.
• The real threat to US is next door: Mexico. The author
argued that infusion from Mexico will change American
character.
• The economic, demographic and social situation of Mexico
affects US. Philip Bobbitt argues the world will see North
American Union as EU with extension of NAFTA.
• America need to focus on Mexico more that Middle East.