21 Quotes by Peter Frankopan

[About Europe] its rise, however, brought terrible suffering in newly discovered locations. There was a price for the magnificent cathedrals, the glorious art and the rising standards of living that blossomed from the sixteenth century onwards. It was paid by populations living across the oceans.

The great irony, was that although Europe experienced a glorious golden age, producing flourishing art and literature and leaps of scientific endeavour, it was forged by violence.

After plans had been drawn up by British intelligence to sabotage ships bringing {Jewish] refugees to Palestine - and pin blame on an apparently powerful but non-existent Arab organization - the British took more direct action... It was clear that Britain would stop at nothing to maintain its interests abroad- and think nothing of others in the process.

Those whose minds were open, curious and generous were based in the east, and certainly not in Europe.

The age of empire and the rise of the west were built on the capacity to inflict violence on a major scale.

Despite the fearsome reputation he acquired in the Middle Ages and which still endures, Genghis Khan built his position and power slowly, striking deals with fellow tribal leaders and choosing his allies astutely. He also chose his enemies well, and, above all, he picked the right moment to take them on.

Schoolkinderen worden snel groot (sneller dan wij volgens de krantenberichten), en ze moeten onze wereld gaan begrijpen. Lezen is een manier om de volgende generatie te helpen om te leren en te denken, maar net zo belangrijk is het om te blijven kijken naar het verleden. Ik hoop dat beide boeken mensen bij elkaar brengen. Het begrijpen van de geschiedenis is niet alleen interessant, het is bijzonder belangrijk.

A talent for following the ways of yesterday’, declared King Wu-ling in 307 BC, ’is not sufficient to improve the world of today.

While the Muslim world took delight in innovation, progress and new ideas, much of Christian Europe withered in the gloom, crippled by a lack of resources and a dearth of curiosity.