The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester, Paperback, 9780140280395 | Buy online at The Nile
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The Map That Changed the World

A Tale of Rocks, Ruin and Redemption

Author: Simon Winchester  

Paperback

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.

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

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.

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Description

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.

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Critic Reviews

"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

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About the Author

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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Product Details

Publisher
Penguin Books Ltd
Published
4th July 2002
Edition
1st
Pages
352
ISBN
9780140280395

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RRP $25.00
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