The Fractured Age: How Geopolitics Will Splinter the Global Economy

As someone who follows international relations closely, I found this to be an exceptionally insightful look at the emerging US-China blocs. Shearing argues convincingly that the US bloc will maintain its edge through economic diversity and the continued dominance of the dollar, even as China weaponizes rare earths. The analysis of how middle powers like India and Brazil are navigating these fault lines is some of the best I’ve read in recent years. Truth is, the book clarified a lot of the chaos I see in the daily news without resorting to simplistic soundbites. It’s intellectually rich and provides a clear-eyed view of our shifting security environment. Every chapter feels like a masterclass in connecting the dots between history and future policy. Truly essential reading for anyone trying to navigate the volatile trade landscape of the 2020s.

Wow, this reads like a dispatch from the near future. Shearing provides what I can only describe as a "geopolitical MRI," revealing the hairline fractures in our global system before they turn into total breaks. The way he discusses "friend-shoring" versus total decoupling is both brilliant and terrifying. I appreciated how he didn't shy away from the impacts of the current political climate, including the mercurial nature of US leadership. The book is dense, yes, but in a way that rewards your attention with genuine "aha!" moments. It’s rare to find a book that balances data-driven economics with such a compelling narrative flair. If you’re unsettled by the headlines regarding AI and energy security, this book will give you the framework to understand them. Definitely a five-star contribution.

In my experience, most books on the global economy are either too academic or too populist, but this one hits the sweet spot perfectly. Neil Shearing has managed to take the "dismal science" and turn it into a gripping story about human ambition and the return of old-school power politics. The chapter on the US dollar's longevity was particularly enlightening, as it challenged some of my preconceived notions about the rise of alternative currencies. It’s a cerebral read that stays with you long after you’ve put it down. The technical aspects are there, but they never feel like they’re drowning out the human element of the story. If you’re an international relations buff, you need this on your shelf immediately. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC!

The chapter on semiconductor rivalries alone is worth the price of admission. Shearing maps out the conflict between the US and China with the precision of a surgeon, showing exactly where the pressure points are. I loved the way he connects the dots between energy weaponization and the future of EVs—it’s all part of the same fractured puzzle. The prose is surprisingly moving for a book about trade, largely because it focuses on the people and policies driving these massive shifts. My concentration didn't even flicker, which is a testament to how well-structured the arguments are. It feels prescient and urgent, like a warning we all need to heed before the cracks get any wider. A masterclass in modern geopolitics that clarifies the chaos of our current world.

Picked this up thinking it would be another dry economics textbook, but Neil Shearing actually manages to weave human emotion into the cold reality of global trade. I was particularly struck by his "glass rivers" analogy for supply chains—it perfectly captures how fragile our current system really is. To be fair, some of the deeper dives into monetary policy required a second read, but the payoff is worth the effort. The book feels incredibly prescient, almost like reading a headline from next year. It’s a smart, layered exploration of how we’re moving away from total interdependence toward something much more fractured and uncertain. While it can be a bit heavy on the technical side, the prose remains engaging enough to keep you turning the page. If you want to understand why your favorite tech or meds are getting more expensive, start here.

After hearing so much buzz about The Fractured Age, I was curious to see if it lived up to the hype. I came away feeling strangely more at ease despite the heavy subject matter. Seeing the broad arc of globalization over the last century helped me realize that what we’re experiencing now is part of a larger, albeit painful, cycle of change. Shearing does an excellent job of explaining how geopolitics has become a cudgel in modern trade wars. My only minor gripe is that the book leans heavily into the diagnosis of the problem without offering much in the way of actionable solutions. Still, the prose is vivid and the analogies are sharp enough to make complex ideas stick. It’s a thought-provoking journey through a world coming apart at the seams.

Finally got around to reading this NetGalley copy and it couldn't be more timely. With the global political landscape shifting almost weekly, Shearing’s analysis of how trade and security are merging is spot on. I particularly liked the sections on "economic cudgels"—it’s a vivid way to describe how semiconductors and rare earths are being used as leverage. The writing is polished and the pacing is generally good, though some of the math-heavy sections might alienate a casual reader. Gotta say, seeing the first impacts of a second Trump term reflected in the context of these theories makes the whole thing feel incredibly relevant. It’s a smart, contemporary reference that I’ll likely return to as the "fractured age" continues to unfold. Highly recommended for business leaders.

Ever wonder why the global economy feels like it’s held together by duct tape lately? Shearing tries to answer that, though I must admit my concentration wandered during the more technical sections on finance and trade law. The material is undeniably deep, yet there were moments where the density felt like a barrier rather than a benefit. Frankly, I think it’s a worthwhile read for the themes alone, but it requires a level of focus I didn’t always have at the end of a long workday. It provides a good historical context for deglobalization, helping to demystify why we are seeing a return to great-power competition. I just wish the writing were a bit more streamlined in the middle chapters. It’s a solid effort for those who aren't already policy wonks.

Not what I expected in terms of tone, as it’s much more of a "doom and gloom" forecast than I was prepared for. While the research is clearly meticulous and the global scope is impressive, the lack of "actionable optimism" left me feeling a bit drained by the end. The author is a brilliant economist, no doubt, but the book spends 90% of its time telling you why the system is breaking and only 10% on how we might survive the transition. In my experience, these types of books are more useful when they provide a roadmap for the future. That being said, the "glass rivers" metaphor is one of the best descriptions of supply chain fragility I've ever encountered. It’s a worthwhile read for the information, just be prepared for a heavy dose of reality.

Look, if you stay reasonably informed by reading any major financial newspaper, you probably won't find much "new" analysis here. The book makes a lot of grand assertions about the return of geopolitics, but I found the analytical reasoning to be a bit thin in places. It feels like a collection of news summaries expanded into a full-length volume. While the writing is clear, it lacks the depth of original research I was hoping for from someone of Shearing’s caliber. To be honest, it’s probably a great primer for someone who hasn't paid attention to trade wars or the semiconductor crisis over the last five years. For the rest of us, it’s a bit repetitive and light on fresh perspectives. I expected more than just a well-written recap of the status quo.