A Strategic Atlas: Comparative Geopolitics of the World's Powers

This is a must for anyone attempting to see the world without the U.S. lenses. It physically forces one to view the world from a different perspective, and it covers all the major factors of conflict around the world.

This is one of my top five most influential books. I got it first in mid-80s and have used up my copy. Recently bought a used, library discard of a hard cover copy. It's central feature is a series of maps. The world map is centered on the North Pole, which illustrates world geography in a way no one else has. Any world map must deal with the distortion of flattening a curved object, and this projection throws most of it into southern oceans. Each region is covered with seperate maps. The section on Iraq absolutely predicts the mess we are in right now. Buy this book.

Despite our belief and reliance in high technology systems and weapons, geography and population still remain the main determinates in local, regional, and global issues. This book profoundly illustrates these truths and shows us the participants point of view - from their geography and their politics. Looking from their position in the world it is very easy to understand why remote and unknown locations in the world are pivitol to the strategic interests of the West, Russia, China, and Islamic nations.