Valerie Hansen
Valerie Hansen is a historian and author known for her work on world history and the Silk Road. She is a professor at Yale University and has written several books exploring historical connections across cultures.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
-
1. The Silk Road
A New History of the World
This captivating exploration delves into the rich tapestry of trade, culture, and exchange that flourished along the ancient Silk Road, challenging the traditional narrative of a single, unified route. Through a meticulous examination of archaeological findings, historical records, and personal accounts, the book reveals a complex network of interconnected paths that facilitated the movement of goods, ideas, and people across Asia and beyond. It highlights the diverse interactions among merchants, travelers, and local communities, illustrating how these exchanges shaped civilizations and contributed to the global tapestry of human history.
The 17010th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org -
2. The Year 1000
When Explorers Connected the World—and Globalization Began
A sweeping history arguing that globalization began around the year 1000, as explorers, merchants, and migrants forged long-distance networks across Afro-Eurasia and even briefly connected to North America. Drawing on archaeological evidence and scattered texts, it traces routes linking Song China, the Islamic world, India, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Norse Atlantic, following the movement of silver, spices, slaves, beliefs, and technologies. The narrative shows how these connections produced prosperity and upheaval in unequal measure while remaining fragile, contingent, and often violent.
Purchase from Bookshop.org