A History of the World in Twelve Maps

[A] fascinating and panoramic new history of the cartographer’s art… Brotton’s idea of tracing within maps the patterns of human thought is a wonderful one – Tom Holland * Guardian *As this mesmerising and beautifully illustrated book demonstrates, maps have, since ancient times, carried vast symbolic weight … rich and endlessly absorbing history – Sinclair McKay * Daily Telegraph *An elegant, powerfully argued variation on the theme of knowledge as power and ignorance as powerlessness – David Horspool * Guardian *Rich and adventurous – John Carey * Sunday Times *An achievement of evocation….a fascinating and thought-provoking book – Anthony Sattin * Literary Review *Brotton is acutely sensitive to the social, political and religious contexts which unravel why maps were made, for whom and with what axes to grind – Robert Mayhew * History Today *A highly rewarding study – Simon Garfield * Mail on Sunday *Engrossing reading – Carl Wilkinson * Financial Times *The intellectual background to these images is conveyed with beguiling erudition … There is nothing more subversive than a map – Andrew Linklater * Spectator *It is a wonderful history, which will delight anyone with an interest in history and geography – David Wooton * TLS *

Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London, and a leading expert in the history of maps and Renaissance cartography. His most recent book, The Sale of the Late King’s Goods- Charles I and his Art Collection (2006), was short-listed for the Samuel Johnson Prize as well as the Hessell-Tiltman History Prize. In 2010, he was the presenter of the BBC4 series ‘Maps- Power, Plunder and Possession’.

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