Hidden behind velvet curtains above a stairway in a house in London's Piccadilly is an enormous and beautiful hand-coloured map - the first geological map of anywhere in the world. Its maker was a farmer's son named William Smith. Born in 1769 his life was beset by troubles. This title tells his story.
Hidden behind velvet curtains above a stairway in a house in London's Piccadilly is an enormous and beautiful hand-coloured map - the first geological map of anywhere in the world. Its maker was a farmer's son named William Smith. Born in 1769 his life was beset by troubles. This title tells his story.
Following the hugely successful hardback, this extraordinary tale of the father of modern geology looks set to be the non fiction paperback for 2002. Hidden behind velvet curtains above a stairway in a house in London's Piccadilly is an enormous and beautiful hand-coloured map - the first geological map of anywhere in the world. Its maker was a farmer's son named William Smith. Born in 1769 his life was beset by troubles- he was imprisoned for debt, turned out of his home, his work was plagiarised, his wife went insane and the scientific establishment shunned him. It was not until 1829, when a Yorkshire aristocrat recognised his genius, that he was returned to London in triumph- The Map That Changed the World is his story.
"Smith's unsung life provides the perfect backdrop for yet another entertaining intellectual history."--Denver Post
"Winchester masterfully weaves a compelling history."--Newsday
"A compelling human story"--Boston Sunday Herald
"Smith's life provides a terrific plot to frame his contribution to science. Winchester's wonderful account does credit to it."--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
"Well-researched narrative"--BusinessWeek
"Winchester brings Smith's struggle to life in clear and beautiful language."--New York Times Book Review
"Winchester has once again captured the essence of persistence against odds resulting in achievement."--Library Journal (starred review)
Smith s unsung life provides the perfect backdrop for yet another entertaining intellectual history. --Denver Post
Winchester masterfully weaves a compelling history. --Newsday
"A compelling human story" -- Boston Sunday Herald
"Well-researched narrative" -- BusinessWeek
Simon Winchester has had an award-winning 20 year career as Guardian correspondent. He lives in New York and is the Asia-Pacific Editor for Conde Nast Traveler and contributes to a number of American magazines, as well as the Daily Telegraph, the Spectator and the BBC. He has written numerous books. The River at the Centre of the World (Viking 1997/Penguin 1998) has been shortlisted for the 1998 Thomas Cook/Daily Telegraph Travel Book Award.
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