Like Gideon Defoe's An Atlas of Extinct Countries or Tim Marshall's Politics of Place series, John Ellegde's A Brief History of the World in 47 Borders is an (overall) entertaining romp through history focused on the how, why and conflicts created or caused by borders.

After a brief introduction explains the creation of the work and noting that more than 47 borders will be discussed, but that there are 47 chapters, the work begins with the sections Histories. This sections move chronologically working from known records or understandings with the earliest entries on Egypt's unification and the Great Wall of China. Things then jump ahead to Rome and the Middle Ages. As one would expect things become more detailed as we move towards the present with greater access to information.

Section two, Legacies considers micro-states and borders that are unclear or disputed, such as Washington D.C. or Israel/Palestine. The last section, Externalities looks to disputed territories such as Antarctica and air and space.

Through all of these, Elledge maintains a humorous informational tone, with lots of jokes and asides. There are a few sections where the mood is more somber and honest, particularly in consideration of bloody borders such as the partion-ing of India and the Israel/Palestine borders that are in a state of war.

Recommended to readers of geo-politics, history or modern politics.

If you're after a compendium of interesting stories about all kinds of geopolitical dividing lines, their origins, and their implications, interspersed with jokes, this'll do the job nicely. Elledge has a breezy, readable style - clearly influenced by the likes of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett in both its tone and ability to make serious points while being amusing. This is likely to confuse the hell out of non-Brits at times both due to the humour and some of the references, but he's so evidently enjoying himself in his storytelling it's pretty hard not to get sucked in - especially when every chapter is likely to have something you didn't know. (My non-Brit, non-native English speaker wife has been having fun with it, at any rate.)

My one complaint - and the reason for a star being dropped - is the relative paucity of maps. There's not even one per chapter - even though most chapters would benefit from having several. Maybe one for an illustrated second edition eh, publishers?

One other thing to note: While the multiple short chapters make this look like a good one to dip in and out of, and perhaps kept by the loo, it's better read in order. Not only are the chapters mostly chronological, but they often contain references back to incidents, people and places mentioned earlier on.

A Brief History asks, do borders create the differences between people or do people create the borders? Elledge presents a unique and utterly fascinating overview of world history through maps. Read by the map enthusiast himself, Elledge begins with Egypt and Rome and touches on many of the most famous divisions. The recording includes pdfs to 22 maps!

Elledge's charming accent carries us through historical moments that I was not aware of including original reason for the Mason–Dixon line and secret British-French agreement to carve up the Ottoman Empire. The trivia, the history, the facts and the unique perspective make this a truly special book for any lover of geography, history, world and civilization.
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