Author Interview / Conflict

How borders have shaped the modern world

21:30 pm on 23 May 2024

From ancient Roman attempts to define the edge of civilisation to European powers drawing straight lines on maps, borders have shaped the modern world.

Writer and journalist Jonn Elledge is the author of the new book A History of the World in 47 Borders.

He speaks to Emile Donovan about what attracted him to the idea of borders and why we underestimate how much they influence our lives.

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In his book A History of the World in 47 Borders writer Jonn Elledge looks at the history of the world told through its borders. From the Roman attempts to define the boundaries of civilisation, to the secret British-French agreement to carve up the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Photo: Jonn Elledge