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Shortest History
The Shortest History of Migration: When, Why, and How Humans Move - From the Prehistoric Peopling of the Planet to Today and Tomorrow's Migrants
From the Silk Roads to the Berlin Wall, discover the globe-turning history of human migration.
“Provides essential context to one of today’s most polarizing debates . . . engrossing and instructive—a must-read.”—Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group
We are a species in motion—from the first steps of Homo sapiens across Africa to America’s “melting pot.” And when we move—in search of better things, or against our will—our beliefs and skills clash and combine, reshaping society time and again.
In this visionary Shortest History of Migration, Ian Goldin uncovers key moments of cultural exchange while carefully examining empire, slavery, and war. Throughout, we meet famous explorers (Zheng He), exiles (Pablo Neruda), and everyday people in extraordinary a Jewish man saved by the Kindertransport, a Japanese gardener who blossomed in Mexico City.
Today, freedom of movement is being curtailed, even as climate change and conflict mobilize people everywhere around the world. Goldin reminds us that passports at every border are a modern invention (he traces the “birth of big brother” to World War I), revealing the folly of trying to halt migration—and proposing commonsense policy instead.
A gripping chronicle of want and wanderlust, this is a moving portrait of humanity—in every sense of the word.
The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read.
#1 Bestseller in Human Geography and Emigration & Immigration
“Provides essential context to one of today’s most polarizing debates . . . engrossing and instructive—a must-read.”—Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group
We are a species in motion—from the first steps of Homo sapiens across Africa to America’s “melting pot.” And when we move—in search of better things, or against our will—our beliefs and skills clash and combine, reshaping society time and again.
In this visionary Shortest History of Migration, Ian Goldin uncovers key moments of cultural exchange while carefully examining empire, slavery, and war. Throughout, we meet famous explorers (Zheng He), exiles (Pablo Neruda), and everyday people in extraordinary a Jewish man saved by the Kindertransport, a Japanese gardener who blossomed in Mexico City.
Today, freedom of movement is being curtailed, even as climate change and conflict mobilize people everywhere around the world. Goldin reminds us that passports at every border are a modern invention (he traces the “birth of big brother” to World War I), revealing the folly of trying to halt migration—and proposing commonsense policy instead.
A gripping chronicle of want and wanderlust, this is a moving portrait of humanity—in every sense of the word.
The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read.
#1 Bestseller in Human Geography and Emigration & Immigration
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2024
59 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Ian Goldin
35 books66 followersIan Goldin is a professor at the University of Oxford in England. He took up his most recent position as director of Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, in September 2006. He is the Oxford University Professor of Globalisation and Development, and holds a professorial fellowship at Balliol College, Oxford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 20, 2024
People move. People have always moved. Should anyone think otherwise, this book will be a useful read. For everyone else, it has perhaps limited use. Because I don’t believe the hostility to migrants is based on ignorance of this fact, just that it should have no bearing on people’s current right to move. Saying that, it does counter common misconceptions and misinformation on the topic. Most migrants seek to move close to where they are from. They often return. They have a net positive economic effect on the countries they move to. Poorer countries in the developing world take on most migrants etc. etc.
We need to reclaim migration as one of the fundamental elements of what makes us human. This book should help.
Hardback copy read.
We need to reclaim migration as one of the fundamental elements of what makes us human. This book should help.
Hardback copy read.
September 2, 2025
This was my fourth “Shortest History” book, and although I wasn’t naïve to believe there wouldn’t be an ideological slant with regards to this publication series, I was quite alarmed by the overt “leftist/woke” ideologies espoused in this book. The stereotypical talking points and deliberate omissions of “inconvenient truths” were distracting to the point where I kept imagining the discussion between the author and the publisher:
Publisher: “Does this book contain a lot of contemporary buzz words like ‘net zero,’ ‘carbon footprint,’ ‘electrified mobility,’ and ‘man-made climate change?’”
Goldin: “Of course!”
Publisher: “Does this book correlate climate change/environmental degradation with trillion dollar military budgets and the billions of barrels of fossils fuels burned to facilitate the continuous bombing of people/infrastructure everyday of the year, American politicians celebrating the largest man-made release of methane gas during the deliberate Nordstream pipeline explosion and the fallout from uranium tipped ordinance?
Goldin: “Ummm… no.”
Publisher: “Great! So… does this book preach the mantra, ‘Diversity is our strength’ while going on and on about Trump being a racist bigot who hates migrants?”
Goldin: “Hellz yes!”
Publisher: “Does this book also mention that Black guy nicknamed ‘Deporter-In-Chief’ who deported more people, dropped more bombs, destroyed more countries, armed drug cartels with his Fast and Furious program, stuffed desperate immigrants in cages and then enforced family separation policies to punish parents who dragged their kids away from the hellscapes from which he created?”
Goldin: [delete]
Publisher: “Fantastic! Looks like you got your mind right!”
Publisher: “Does this book contain a lot of contemporary buzz words like ‘net zero,’ ‘carbon footprint,’ ‘electrified mobility,’ and ‘man-made climate change?’”
Goldin: “Of course!”
Publisher: “Does this book correlate climate change/environmental degradation with trillion dollar military budgets and the billions of barrels of fossils fuels burned to facilitate the continuous bombing of people/infrastructure everyday of the year, American politicians celebrating the largest man-made release of methane gas during the deliberate Nordstream pipeline explosion and the fallout from uranium tipped ordinance?
Goldin: “Ummm… no.”
Publisher: “Great! So… does this book preach the mantra, ‘Diversity is our strength’ while going on and on about Trump being a racist bigot who hates migrants?”
Goldin: “Hellz yes!”
Publisher: “Does this book also mention that Black guy nicknamed ‘Deporter-In-Chief’ who deported more people, dropped more bombs, destroyed more countries, armed drug cartels with his Fast and Furious program, stuffed desperate immigrants in cages and then enforced family separation policies to punish parents who dragged their kids away from the hellscapes from which he created?”
Goldin: [delete]
Publisher: “Fantastic! Looks like you got your mind right!”
August 11, 2025
When I picked up " The Shortest History of Migration" by Ian Goldin, I thought I was simply going to get a quick, factual overview. But what I didn’t expect was how deeply it would shift my perspective. Migration is something we often hear about in news headlines — framed in numbers, politics, and debates. But this book made me pause and think about the human stories behind those movements, the journeys people take, the courage it demands, and how migration has always been a part of who we are as humans.
Ian Goldin has this rare ability to compress centuries of history into pages that feel both digestible and powerful. He doesn’t just stick to dates and events — he connects the dots between the past and our present, showing how cultures, ideas, and identities have been shaped by the constant flow of people across borders. Reading it felt like zooming out on the map of human history and suddenly seeing the bigger picture.
As I read, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own place in this ever-moving world — how migration, even indirectly, has influenced my community, my city, and perhaps even my own family. It’s one of those books that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve closed the last page. If you’ve ever been curious about the movement of people — not just as a historical fact, but as a force that shapes our world and our humanity — this is one you shouldn’t miss.
Ian Goldin has this rare ability to compress centuries of history into pages that feel both digestible and powerful. He doesn’t just stick to dates and events — he connects the dots between the past and our present, showing how cultures, ideas, and identities have been shaped by the constant flow of people across borders. Reading it felt like zooming out on the map of human history and suddenly seeing the bigger picture.
As I read, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own place in this ever-moving world — how migration, even indirectly, has influenced my community, my city, and perhaps even my own family. It’s one of those books that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve closed the last page. If you’ve ever been curious about the movement of people — not just as a historical fact, but as a force that shapes our world and our humanity — this is one you shouldn’t miss.
March 5, 2025
This should be an essential read for anyone voting in democratic elections… completely rips apart any argument that migration is a negative. This book will help you better understand the world and our history. It will also help prevent your anxieties around immigration that is so often used as a scapegoat.
August 21, 2025
Fascinating on every page. Easy to read with so many interesting facts. Everyone should read this!
October 30, 2025
An essential read if you wish to partake in the current migrant debate. This concise history of migration helps counter a rise in misinformation on the subject and I recommend it to anybody genuinely wanting to learn the simple truth of human migratory instincts. I’ll now move on to the similar History of Europe, and History of Economics, which I hope will be equally enlightening.
July 22, 2024
Another pick of the shelves of Waterstones that takes a look at an issue of key contemporary political significance.
Goldin is a very erudite and articulate writer on this subject and, in these densely packed factual tome, makes some significant points.
The history of humanity is one of migration, of those first halting and then finally successful out of Africa events, the genetic and geographic mingling with the Neanderthals and the Denisovan, the beachcombing coastal expansions to populate Asia, Australasia and then to head down the ice corridor beside the Rockies to colonise America.
Goldin highlights the forced migrations of slavery, both within and beyond Africa, but the exploitation of humans for labour takes many different forms. Indentured servitude, punitive contracts, tied living arrangements bind migrants to their foreign employers in conditions of horribly unequal power. The exploitation of mine workers to reap the riches of South Africa, the building of the gulf states like Dubai and Qatar on a population of 90% migrants (or even the binding of health care to employment status/providers in America), all illustrate that bid to control/exploit labour which runs hand in hand with migration.
Goldin makes the interesting point that borders with the accompanying border controls and paperwork are very much a modern construct, born out of the need to control travellers across combatant countries in the first world war. In the first half of the nineteenth century borders were all as open as Schengen, though the creeping tide of nationalism meant that those identifiably different were beginning to be singled out for restricted movements, for example the Chinese migrants who built the West coast railways of America.
While Goldin argues how migration is not only an inherently human trait, but also a socially and economically beneficial one, he acknowledges the issues of perception which are so easily whipped up by populist political leaders eager to re-direct blame for their own failures to deliver on their identifiable marginalised minorities.
At any one time about 3% of the World's population are migrants - living in countries other than where they were born. Typically these are the more adventurous, creative and resilient members of the population for generally we are resistant to and fearful of change. Migration is a huge change. Goldin points out the economic need for migration to those parts of the world (eg Europe) where birth rates are falling below replacement levels. Some extremists (white supremacy and misogynistic politicians) might openly argue for women to be chained to the kitchen/.bedroom in order to repopulate the dwindling majority and preserve its privileges (Project 25 anyone?). However, the reality is that migrant workers tend to be younger and more economically active than the aging indigenous population and are essential to provide both the tax receipts and the social care that the increasing proportions of retirees will need.
Goldin explores the drivers of migration, the push factors of war, famine, persecution and the pull factors of employment and opportunity. There are also the political factors such as the 'cartographic violence' of old empires divesting and partitioning their former colonies and dependencies on whims of arrogance and domestic convenience. I might mention Pakistan and India, or Israel and Palestine, or maybe even the plantations of Norther Ireland that sowed the seeds of 400 years of violent dispute and toxic inequality.
The final paradox perhaps, is that the evidence of Schengen and of the pre-border control era, is that open borders actually reduce net migration - with migrants moving back and forth between their birth countries, where closed borders drive an impetus to settle where possible.
So ultimately the world needs more freedom of movement and not less (alongside better education and understanding of the contributions migrants make and always have) if we are to get the stable/slightly reduced migration that the populists clamour for so disingenuously.
Goldin is a very erudite and articulate writer on this subject and, in these densely packed factual tome, makes some significant points.
The history of humanity is one of migration, of those first halting and then finally successful out of Africa events, the genetic and geographic mingling with the Neanderthals and the Denisovan, the beachcombing coastal expansions to populate Asia, Australasia and then to head down the ice corridor beside the Rockies to colonise America.
Goldin highlights the forced migrations of slavery, both within and beyond Africa, but the exploitation of humans for labour takes many different forms. Indentured servitude, punitive contracts, tied living arrangements bind migrants to their foreign employers in conditions of horribly unequal power. The exploitation of mine workers to reap the riches of South Africa, the building of the gulf states like Dubai and Qatar on a population of 90% migrants (or even the binding of health care to employment status/providers in America), all illustrate that bid to control/exploit labour which runs hand in hand with migration.
Goldin makes the interesting point that borders with the accompanying border controls and paperwork are very much a modern construct, born out of the need to control travellers across combatant countries in the first world war. In the first half of the nineteenth century borders were all as open as Schengen, though the creeping tide of nationalism meant that those identifiably different were beginning to be singled out for restricted movements, for example the Chinese migrants who built the West coast railways of America.
While Goldin argues how migration is not only an inherently human trait, but also a socially and economically beneficial one, he acknowledges the issues of perception which are so easily whipped up by populist political leaders eager to re-direct blame for their own failures to deliver on their identifiable marginalised minorities.
At any one time about 3% of the World's population are migrants - living in countries other than where they were born. Typically these are the more adventurous, creative and resilient members of the population for generally we are resistant to and fearful of change. Migration is a huge change. Goldin points out the economic need for migration to those parts of the world (eg Europe) where birth rates are falling below replacement levels. Some extremists (white supremacy and misogynistic politicians) might openly argue for women to be chained to the kitchen/.bedroom in order to repopulate the dwindling majority and preserve its privileges (Project 25 anyone?). However, the reality is that migrant workers tend to be younger and more economically active than the aging indigenous population and are essential to provide both the tax receipts and the social care that the increasing proportions of retirees will need.
Goldin explores the drivers of migration, the push factors of war, famine, persecution and the pull factors of employment and opportunity. There are also the political factors such as the 'cartographic violence' of old empires divesting and partitioning their former colonies and dependencies on whims of arrogance and domestic convenience. I might mention Pakistan and India, or Israel and Palestine, or maybe even the plantations of Norther Ireland that sowed the seeds of 400 years of violent dispute and toxic inequality.
The final paradox perhaps, is that the evidence of Schengen and of the pre-border control era, is that open borders actually reduce net migration - with migrants moving back and forth between their birth countries, where closed borders drive an impetus to settle where possible.
So ultimately the world needs more freedom of movement and not less (alongside better education and understanding of the contributions migrants make and always have) if we are to get the stable/slightly reduced migration that the populists clamour for so disingenuously.
November 7, 2025
-Are You a Wanderer or a Nomad?-
Review of 'The Shortest History of Migration' by Ian Goldin
Quote Alert
"𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲. 𝐘𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲."
What exactly is migration? And why are immigration the reason of soaring anxiety and panic in the original inhabitants of the lands they migrate to? Is it unfounded? What are the reasons for it? The author has candidly explored these answers and explained in detail the phenomenon of migration right from the times of the early humans.
For hundreds of thousands of years, the ability of Homo sapiens to travel across vast distances and adapt to new environments has been key to our survival as a species. Yet this deep migratory impulse is being tested as never before. By building ever stronger walls and raising barriers to progress, governments are harming the lives of migrants and threatening the future well-being of our societies.
In The Shortest History of Migration, the author tells a story of the movement of peoples that spans every age and continent and goes to the heart of what makes us human. Drawn from ancient records and the latest genetic research, it recounts strange, terrible and uplifting tales of migrants past and present, examining the legacies of empire, slavery and war.Finally, Goldin turns his attention to today's world, bringing together the evidence of history with the most recent data to suggest how we might create a more humane future -- one that allows us to reap the tremendous benefits that migration can offer.
Pick it up this festive season.
Review of 'The Shortest History of Migration' by Ian Goldin
Quote Alert
"𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲. 𝐘𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲."
What exactly is migration? And why are immigration the reason of soaring anxiety and panic in the original inhabitants of the lands they migrate to? Is it unfounded? What are the reasons for it? The author has candidly explored these answers and explained in detail the phenomenon of migration right from the times of the early humans.
For hundreds of thousands of years, the ability of Homo sapiens to travel across vast distances and adapt to new environments has been key to our survival as a species. Yet this deep migratory impulse is being tested as never before. By building ever stronger walls and raising barriers to progress, governments are harming the lives of migrants and threatening the future well-being of our societies.
In The Shortest History of Migration, the author tells a story of the movement of peoples that spans every age and continent and goes to the heart of what makes us human. Drawn from ancient records and the latest genetic research, it recounts strange, terrible and uplifting tales of migrants past and present, examining the legacies of empire, slavery and war.Finally, Goldin turns his attention to today's world, bringing together the evidence of history with the most recent data to suggest how we might create a more humane future -- one that allows us to reap the tremendous benefits that migration can offer.
Pick it up this festive season.
August 17, 2025
Goldin frames migration as central to humanity. He argues it underpins innovation and survival. Continuous movement shaped intellectual and social foundations in lasting ways. The framing is clear and accessible, but Goldin uses history to persuade rather than to explore complexity.
The book moves across slavery, indenture, and forced labour as recurring structures of exploitation. These sections include vivid voices, but Goldin reduces them to moral lessons or economic stories. Phrases like “microbial weapons of mass destruction” and “cultural chauvinism” are memorable, yet they push history into rhetoric. The result is punchy but thin on nuance.
The later chapters turn to economics and demography. Goldin claims migration sustains ageing societies, revitalises home countries through remittances and return migration, and supports global prosperity. The arguments are plausible but under-evidenced. Contradictions collapse instead of being confronted. He even says returnees bring back “better ideas,” a claim that echoes colonial tropes. The irony is stark because the line appears alongside Edward Said’s Orientalism.
Goldin ends with calls to improve migrant wellbeing, expand safe routes, and recognise community fears. These are sound positions, but they arrive too late. They read like amendments to a book that has leaned on persuasion over dialogue. The work successfully shows migration’s place at the heart of human history. But its core message is dulled by ideology, weak nuance, and uneven handling of dissent. Goldin is at his best when he lets migrants speak. He falters when his rhetoric does the work
The book moves across slavery, indenture, and forced labour as recurring structures of exploitation. These sections include vivid voices, but Goldin reduces them to moral lessons or economic stories. Phrases like “microbial weapons of mass destruction” and “cultural chauvinism” are memorable, yet they push history into rhetoric. The result is punchy but thin on nuance.
The later chapters turn to economics and demography. Goldin claims migration sustains ageing societies, revitalises home countries through remittances and return migration, and supports global prosperity. The arguments are plausible but under-evidenced. Contradictions collapse instead of being confronted. He even says returnees bring back “better ideas,” a claim that echoes colonial tropes. The irony is stark because the line appears alongside Edward Said’s Orientalism.
Goldin ends with calls to improve migrant wellbeing, expand safe routes, and recognise community fears. These are sound positions, but they arrive too late. They read like amendments to a book that has leaned on persuasion over dialogue. The work successfully shows migration’s place at the heart of human history. But its core message is dulled by ideology, weak nuance, and uneven handling of dissent. Goldin is at his best when he lets migrants speak. He falters when his rhetoric does the work
August 6, 2025
This is my third book in the shortest history series. Absolutely, I must admit that this is one of the brilliant books in the series. To be honest, there were a lot of parts in the book I had to re-read to understand it, as I couldn't in the first attempt. The depth is so much because its a well-researched book. If this is your very first book, you might get a bit lost.
Immigration was actually a concept I had no clue about until recently. Today, in 2025, millions of people flock from one place to another. On a broader sense, the reason might seem the same, but the author stunned me with his interesting narratives and perspectives about migration. I had so far never thought in the direction he was going along in the book.
If you are aware about the history of migration, you will be surprised. Today, the world is shrinking. I was very amazed and perplexed to read a lot of facts on how migration can change the situation of the entire world (politically and otherwise) that Goldin has presented.
Whether you were an immigrant at any point of time in your life or not, I urge you to read this.
Immigration was actually a concept I had no clue about until recently. Today, in 2025, millions of people flock from one place to another. On a broader sense, the reason might seem the same, but the author stunned me with his interesting narratives and perspectives about migration. I had so far never thought in the direction he was going along in the book.
If you are aware about the history of migration, you will be surprised. Today, the world is shrinking. I was very amazed and perplexed to read a lot of facts on how migration can change the situation of the entire world (politically and otherwise) that Goldin has presented.
Whether you were an immigrant at any point of time in your life or not, I urge you to read this.
September 28, 2025
This is the first time that I picked up 'The Shortest History' series, and I must say, it was worth it!
I was hooked by the foreword that the author provided. It was a personal account of migration that made me realise - Migration is for survival.
It goes deep into various aspects of migration and the reason behind it - rapid urbanization, discrimination, genocide. The author discusses the history of migration dating 300,000 years back with what all facts are knwon to the mankind. Moreover, Goldin's knowledge contributes enormously to this book. And goes on to discuss the future of migration, based on the current trends. The author makes us familiar with the face that all of us are migrants, we belonged to different places beofre but becasue of our ancestors, we are where we are today.
By the end of this book, I could learn a lot of new facts about the history of migration. Moreover, I am eager to know more about the trends of migration in my geography.
If you are eager to learn about migration, different cultures and people, this is a must read for you. It a detailed reference to our own history.
I was hooked by the foreword that the author provided. It was a personal account of migration that made me realise - Migration is for survival.
It goes deep into various aspects of migration and the reason behind it - rapid urbanization, discrimination, genocide. The author discusses the history of migration dating 300,000 years back with what all facts are knwon to the mankind. Moreover, Goldin's knowledge contributes enormously to this book. And goes on to discuss the future of migration, based on the current trends. The author makes us familiar with the face that all of us are migrants, we belonged to different places beofre but becasue of our ancestors, we are where we are today.
By the end of this book, I could learn a lot of new facts about the history of migration. Moreover, I am eager to know more about the trends of migration in my geography.
If you are eager to learn about migration, different cultures and people, this is a must read for you. It a detailed reference to our own history.
September 19, 2025
This book was a disappointment. It claims to cover prehistoric times to the present, but it’s mostly about the last 200 years. Also, the last 70 pages or so are about why migration is “good” and why Western countries should have open borders, which is not really interesting nor what the book purports to be about. In addition, there are some historical inaccuracies, mostly about the migration of Jewish people, such as the claim that most of the people who founded Israel were from European countries. There is no mention whatsoever of Jewish people from what we now call the Middle East nor any mention of the Arab Conquest (ie, the colonization of Northern Africa and the subsequent exiling of Jews and Christians, as well as the killing, etc, of them by Muslims). This book is very biased, and because it is playing at being a history book, its bias makes it a not very good book. If I had it all to do again, I would not buy this book.
July 30, 2025
This was certainly the shortest history of migration but that didn't come at the expense of complexity. The delicate balance between factuality and emotion is perfected by Goldin in this book. This is one of the most humane approaches to the topic of migration that I have ever read and in existence. To lay out where we have come from and where we may go in such a precise was is an art in which Goldin is clearly a maestro. "Migration is not an issue to be solved" really stuck with me as someone who grew up in the midst of Brexit narratives and migrating often myself. Every modern voter and politic should read this book, as for many I suppose it would serve as a severe wakeup call.
August 6, 2025
The Shortest History of Migration is a wonderful work by Ian Goldin . I would say that it is a definite read to know about the history of migration if you do not want to read huge history books on the same.
The books covers wider aspect of migration and to adapt to their surroundings. My favourite part was about getting to know on empire, trade, slavery and war. It also shows us that how much the world has developed till date due to migration. Overall, migration is a necessity for the survival ( mostly like the term “survival of the fittest”). We everyone are migrants from the very human form and still continue to be.
The books covers wider aspect of migration and to adapt to their surroundings. My favourite part was about getting to know on empire, trade, slavery and war. It also shows us that how much the world has developed till date due to migration. Overall, migration is a necessity for the survival ( mostly like the term “survival of the fittest”). We everyone are migrants from the very human form and still continue to be.
August 29, 2025
Author Ian Goldin hails migration as the ‘pollinator of ideas’, the road to evolution, financial betterment, pursuit of creativity and progress. Of course, there are pros and cons to every situation, and the same was for migration.
This book is a mirror to today’s debates on borders, refugees, and global movement. It challenges the narrative that migrants are a burden, showing instead how they enrich societies with courage, creativity, and resilience.
For anyone interested in history, culture, or the politics of migration, this book is a thought-provoking yet accessible primer, as migration is a constant phenomenon with climate crisis compelling more people to move to safer lands.
This book is a mirror to today’s debates on borders, refugees, and global movement. It challenges the narrative that migrants are a burden, showing instead how they enrich societies with courage, creativity, and resilience.
For anyone interested in history, culture, or the politics of migration, this book is a thought-provoking yet accessible primer, as migration is a constant phenomenon with climate crisis compelling more people to move to safer lands.
June 8, 2025
The book does an admirable job of dispelling common myths about migration, grounding the topic in long historical patterns rather than panic-driven headlines. The author succeeds in showing that movement across borders is not an exception but a constant in human history. However, the book ultimately pulls its punches when it comes to political critique. Major historical events like Brexit and the ongoing ethnic cleansing by Israel in Palestine are touched on lightly, if at all, leaving the impression that the most urgent and contentious dimensions of modern migration are being skirted.
February 16, 2025
I enjoyed the style - direct and to the point - and had several AHA moments (vegetation migrates with people; Yugoslavia's split into 6! countries, remittances constitute a significant part of many developing nations' economies), but the author's entirely unbalanced view limits the experience. It's OK that the author believes in open borders, but never exploring any more moderate perspectives limits the impact of the book.
May 31, 2025
The problem with these types of books is that the author often seems tempted to just cover everything at a very high level. The first half of this book is basically a history of the world at secondary school level. Interesting, if you have never read any history. Second half is more interesting and focused on, you know, migration. I think choosing fewer instances in the history of migration and providing more detail there would have worked better.
October 19, 2025
I like the thoroughness with which the author covers so many different movements of people in the modern era, except, notably, the Jews and Israel. I do think that the author manipulates the data or only looks at data that serves his purpose, which seems to be arguing that all migration is good and that migrants should be welcomed with open arms. He completely glosses over the perils of cultural disintegration when migrants overwhelm an area. Still, the historical record is interesting reading.
November 4, 2025
Written in an easy style that allows the reader to put the facts into context. We all came from somewhere or for most of us, many somewheres. I wish all politicians would read this book. It should be used for ad campaigns to remove the fear that some have of the migrant, especially in this time. I hope to remember that only 3% of the population are migrants, they won’t swamp us. It also makes economic sense in so many ways. So pleased I read this book.
December 4, 2024
This book gives a short overview of migrations in the world showing how it has shaped history as well as the challenges of migrations today. However because it is short, it is also superficial narrating facts rather than analysing them. However, it is also a useful reminder of what migrants have brought to the world and challenging all the fear-mongering propagated by nationalists.
January 24, 2025
Good analysis of the history of migration.
In terms of the modern world today, doesn't particularly go into detail on how to fix anti-immigrant sentiment beyond 'fixing people's concerns' which seems fairly obvious.
In terms of the modern world today, doesn't particularly go into detail on how to fix anti-immigrant sentiment beyond 'fixing people's concerns' which seems fairly obvious.
February 9, 2025
Required reading for today’s political/social climate. Very informative, factual and well written. The second half is slightly repetitive. 4.5/5
June 23, 2025
Very thought-provoking
July 9, 2025
excellent
July 29, 2025
It is adventurous and educated to migrate far and wide. It is human to migrate at all. But most of us know these facts. They just aren’t on the agenda of populist politicians.
August 31, 2025
Wonderfully informative, such a well written (and researched) book is a beneficial read to all!
September 8, 2025
4.5
Fascinating look at humanity
Fascinating look at humanity
April 5, 2025
I’m a fan of “The Shortest History of..” books. I feel they’re fair, unbiased and educational. The topic of migration is timely and I learned a lot.
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