The Future of Geography: How Power and Politics in Space Will Change Our World – THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER* (Tim Marshall on Geopolitics) Paperback – 1 Oct. 2023

Clear. Easy to understand for the lay person. Interesting views on what could be achieved. Worth the read, I am a space novice and enjoyed it.

Went through the basics of the political theory with some examples. Wish it had gone more in depth

Really enjoyable and interesting read

I’d never really thought about links between geography and space, but as with his other books, Tim Marshall does a great job of explaining those links. I’m considering bringing elements of this into Geography lessons I teach.

I learned a number of interesting facts about a less documented area. But the language was at times unworthy of serious science writing. Furthermore irritating condecention shone through when writing about nations perceived to be 'inferior'.

The third in the current trilogy from this author. This book is a surprise, though - perhaps it has the wrong title : it’s emphatically not about geography (geo- : “Earth”) but covers the past and probable futures of humanity off-planet and into space. Well written, thought-provoking.

Comprehensive, highly-readable and clear overview of the current situation of astropolitics.As someone who as a child was excited by Sputnik (1957) it’s been fascinating watching events unfold in the decades since.In space as on Earth, China, Russia and the US are the Big Three, but many other countries are also staking their claims in space.Big prizes are Moon bases and then Mars and beyond, but a host of countries are aiming for lower but strategically important targets, putting up satellites for various reasons.Therefore, we have to face and meet some challenges - “the arms race, the competition for territory and resources, the lack of laws and many other negative aspects” (page 234). Including the massive amount of debris circling the planet.After potted histories of astronomy and space travel, Marshall launches into a fair and balanced account of current astropolitics.It’s interesting that only China appears to have called for the United Nations to have a central role “in managing outer space affairs.” (page 107).And private companies have also emerged as major players – SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, and i-Space in China and Arsenal in Russia (page 86).Marshall details threats of violent solar flares and asteroids (pages 92-4) and it’s unsurprising these concerns are also mirrored in the recently published, equally brilliant, The Earth Transformed by Peter Frankopan (pages 649-50).These two books might be read in tandem to give a complete picture of the history and recent escalation of terrestrial and off-Earth geographical challenges.Marshall has done a competent and enlightening job in giving us the facts and background – we see what needs to be done, but will it be done?

This is a useful addition to the series for those wanting to understand the background to geopolitical issues.