The Silk Roads: A New History of the World (2015) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
"Our world was made on and by the Silk Roads. For millennia it was here that East and West encountered each other through trade and conquest, leading to the spread of ideas and cultures, the birth of the world's great religions, the appetites for foreign goods that drove economies and the growth of nations. From the first cities in Mesopotamia to the growth of Greece and Rome to the depredations by the Mongols and the Black Death to the Great Game and the fall of Communism, the fate of the West has always been inextricably linked to… Sign up for the full guide
Adult • 2015 • 636 pages • College/Advanced
This is a sweeping, academic work of non-fiction that recontextualizes world history through the lens of Central Asian trade routes. Because it covers 2,000 years of human history, it contains frank descriptions of warfare, genocide, slavery, and historical atrocities, though these are presented with scholarly detachment rather than for shock value. It is best suited for advanced teen readers or adults interested in a comprehensive… Sign up for the full guide
Is The Silk Roads: A New History of the World appropriate for kids?
This is a sweeping, academic work of non-fiction that recontextualizes world history through the lens of Central Asian trade routes. Because it covers 2,000 years of human history, it contains frank descriptions of warfare, genocide, slavery, and historical atrocities, though… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
What happens in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World, moment by moment
- p. 25 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- p. 44 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
- p. 78 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
Sex and nudity in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
The book contains mentions of the historical slave trade, including the sale of women and concubinage, but there are no graphic descriptions of sexual acts. Historical marriage alliances and reproductive themes are discussed in a clinical, socio-political context. Frankopan notes the strategic use of marriage to cement dynastic ties, particularly during the rise of the Mongol Empire and the Byzantine era. References to eunuchs and harems appear when discussing the administration of the Abbasid Caliphate or the…
Read more — free accountViolence and gore in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
Significant and pervasive as it covers centuries of conflict. Descriptions include the Mongol conquests, which mention severed heads and leveled cities, the brutality of the Crusades, the horrors of the Black Death, and the mass casualties of the World Wars and the Holocaust. Frankopan details the Siege of Baghdad and the sheer scale of the slaughter performed by Genghis Khan’s armies. The text also touches on the terrifying impact of modern chemical warfare and the systematic nature of the Nazi death camps. While…
Read more — free accountLanguage in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
Almost entirely absent. The text uses academic and formal language throughout its 600-plus pages. Any potential profanity would only appear in the context of a direct historical quote, which is rare. There are no instances of casual swearing, vulgarity, or modern expletives used by the author. The vocabulary is challenging and intellectually rigorous, utilizing terms related to economics, theology, and geopolitics. Parents should find no concerns regarding linguistic inappropriateness for a high school reader.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
The book discusses the historical trade of opium and alcohol as commodities rather than recreational habits. It covers the Opium Wars in China and the role of tobacco and wine in various cultures and economies throughout history. Frankopan explores how the taxation of salt and wine funded imperial treasuries in Europe and the Middle East. The discussion of oil in the later chapters focuses on its role as a strategic resource that drives modern conflict and international diplomacy. There are no scenes of drug use…
Read more — free accountMature themes in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
Complex themes of religious expansion including Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism are explored alongside the mechanics of empire building. The dehumanizing nature of the slave trade is a recurring motif, illustrating how human beings were once seen as the primary currency of the Silk Roads. The 'Great Game' of colonialism between Britain and Russia highlights themes of greed, strategic betrayal, and the exploitation of natural resources. Later chapters deal with the consequences of Western intervention in the…
Read more — free accountFrequently Asked Questions
Is The Silk Roads: A New History of the World appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Silk Roads: A New History of the World is best for ages 15+. This is a sweeping, academic work of non-fiction that recontextualizes world history through the lens of Central Asian trade routes. Because it covers 2,000 years of human history, it contains frank descriptions of…
What age rating does The Silk Roads: A New History of the World have?
Books don't carry official age ratings. The Silk Roads: A New History of the World is shelved by its publisher as Adult, but that's a marketing category, not a content rating — Bontent's own review of what's actually on the page puts it at ages 15+.
What reading level is The Silk Roads: A New History of the World?
The Silk Roads: A New History of the World is 636 pages and its reading level is College/Advanced. Bontent recommends it for ages 15+.
What is The Silk Roads: A New History of the World about?
This is a sweeping, academic work of non-fiction that recontextualizes world history through the lens of Central Asian trade routes. Because it covers 2,000 years of human history, it contains frank descriptions of warfare, genocide, slavery, and historical atrocities, though these are presented with scholarly…
Is there sex or nudity in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World?
The book contains mentions of the historical slave trade, including the sale of women and concubinage, but there are no graphic descriptions of sexual acts. Historical marriage alliances and reproductive themes are discussed in a clinical, socio-political…
How violent is The Silk Roads: A New History of the World?
Significant and pervasive as it covers centuries of conflict. Descriptions include the Mongol conquests, which mention severed heads and leveled cities, the brutality of the Crusades, the horrors of the Black Death, and the mass casualties of the World Wars…
Is the language in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World appropriate for kids?
Almost entirely absent. The text uses academic and formal language throughout its 600-plus pages. Any potential profanity would only appear in the context of a direct historical quote, which is rare. There are no instances of casual swearing, vulgarity, or…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World?
The book discusses the historical trade of opium and alcohol as commodities rather than recreational habits. It covers the Opium Wars in China and the role of tobacco and wine in various cultures and economies throughout history. Frankopan explores how the…
What mature themes appear in The Silk Roads: A New History of the World?
Complex themes of religious expansion including Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism are explored alongside the mechanics of empire building. The dehumanizing nature of the slave trade is a recurring motif, illustrating how human beings were once seen as the…
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