Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and ... (ISBN 0300112017)

Crossing Borders Since the Dawn of History:
The central thesis of this book is that crossing borders - or what is now called globalization - is actually nothing new, it has been going on since the first humans left their African homeland at the beginning of time. The difference between now and then is that new technologies have expanded the volume, speed and content of border crossings. Nayan Chanda has given us a sweeping overview of the history of globalization from the perspective of traders, preachers, adventurers, and warriors. Chanda's approach is descriptive rather than prescriptive. He is well aware of the current debate on who globalization actually benefits. On the one hand, globalization has benefited millions in the developing world who now at least have low wages as opposed to no wages at all. Cheerleaders will tell you the rising tide lifts all boats. Critics, on the other hand, charge that it is responsible for many of the world's problems such as global warming, the rise in commodity prices, child labor, and American imperialism. There is certainly some truth in these charges. Chanda recognizes the debate but tries to stay above it. He argues that it is pointless to fight globalization because it has always been with us and it is here to stay. Besides that, no single entity controls it, so it would require the efforts of many to manage it. Chanda's story begins with an analysis of his own DNA a few years ago. That test showed that he was descended from an African father more than 36,000 years ago. His ancestors were part of a group that represented some of the earliest migrations into India. Aside from international ancestry, Chanda epitomizes the 21st century cosmopolitan, having lived in Calcutta, Paris, Hong Kong, and now New Haven, he has written many scholarly articles for a number of international publications. Traders, preachers, adventures, and warriors have always been agents of globalization. From Marco Polo on the Silk Route to the journey of the iPod from Shanghai to Chandra's home in New Haven, people and corporations will forever be crossing borders in search of profits. In the section on preachers, Chanda makes some interesting points about NGOs - such as Human Rights Watch. NGOs have taken up the role of missionaries from earlier centuries. Though non-religious, HRW has been active in places like Darfur preaching universal values. This, in my view, is admirable, for one shouldn't shy about claiming moral superiority to the killing that takes place there. NGO workers would probably object to being called preachers, but they shouldn't. Adventurers and Warriors played a large role in border crossings in the past, but less so today, since the world is getting smaller and more user-friendly, due to the advances of technology. Although Chanda believes globalization is inevitable, he is no neoliberal freemarketer who believes in the infallible benevolence of multinationals. He believes globalization should be managed through collaboration of nation states - such as the WTO - so that there is balance and social justice. (He very critical, for example, of advanced countries protecting their agricultural markets. This is one of the few areas were poor countries can enter global markets and lift themselves out of poverty.) Corporations and NGOs have their unique roles to play, but ultimately national governments need to occasinally intervene to keep the global economy from spinning out of control or leaving large numbers of people destitute. Chanda's short history of globalization tells us that its current critics are understandable, but basically misguided. Instead of putting up trade barriers and halting immigration they should find ways to make globalization work in their favor.

Lost Perspective on Timelines:
Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and Warriors Shaped Globalization The book is an interesting read with great historical account. However, at times with so much of flipping dates in one section somewhere Mr. Chanda has not been able to tie all the strings together. I wish each chapter would have followed some time sequence to build better perspective and genesis of Globalization. The book ends up being an intersting tid-bits about globalization. I would still recommend reading this to anyone, in fact, I have done it.

Fascinating Story, Full of things American's Don't Know:
What made this book fascinating is that it's told entirely from a non-Western point of view, yet it ties in perfectly with current events. We Americans get bound up in our view of history, which is primarily Europe's, but as Chanda so wonderfully tells the story, much happened of which the Europeans were not aware. I highly recommend this book as an essential primer for those not familiar with the global history of globalization.

Bound Together is enthralling.:
The chapters are succinct and the author has a global, over-reaching perspective that captivates the reader. I looked forward to reading it every night for a week. Bound Together surpassed my expectations. I initially ordered it along with three other books on similar topics about capitalism and globalization. I read the others first because I thought they would be better. However, Bound Together was the best of the bunch.

Great Book:
I had to buy this book for a class, expecting it to be disinteresting. Yet it was amazing and very informative. I enjoyed it very much. I recommend it.