Maps fascinate us. They chart our understanding of the world and they log our progress, but above all they tell our stories.From the early sketches of philosophers and explorers through to Google Maps and beyond, Simon Garfield examines how maps both relate and realign our history. His compelling narratives range from the quest to create the perfect globe to the challenges of mapping Africa and Antarctica, from spellbinding treasure maps to the naming of America, from Ordnance Survey to the mapping of Monopoly and Skyrim, and from rare map dealers to cartographic frauds. En route, there are 'pocket map' tales on dragons and undergrounds, a nineteenth century murder map, the research conducted on the different ways that men and women approach a map, and an explanation of the curious long-term cartographic role played by animals.On The Map is a witty and irrepressible examination of where we've been, how we got there and where we're going."Delightful. If maps be the fuel of wanderlust, read on." From the foreword by Dava Sobel, author of Longitude.
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Review
'Delightful. If maps be the fuel of wanderlust, read on' -- From the foreword by Dava Sobel, author of Longitude
'There couldn't be anyone better to write about our love for maps than Simon Garfield, who is a master at unearthing strange facts and mixing them with a lively personal narrative ... fascinating' -- Giles Foden, Conde Nast Traveller
'Completely enthralling' -- Daily Mail
'Garfield has a genius for being sparked to life by esoteric enthusiasm and charming readers with his delight' -- The Times
'Simon Garfield's new book is a rollicking sweep through map history, packed with curiosities and written with verve ... On The Map will inspire you to take a trip to somewhere new, buy an antique globe to chart the rise and fall of empires, or just dig out a tatty orange Ordnance Survey Explorer map and let its filigree of contour lines evoke a long-forgotten walk in the rain ... a great book.' Independent on Sunday
'This book is a joy and should be an absolute smash hit' Press Association
'Stunning ... As one of the UK's leading contemporary polymaths, Garfield's always a joy to read'Monocle
'Garfield's genial prose twinkles with the delight of discovery' --Wanderlust
'A pub quizzer's dream ... Rather than over-romanticise the experience of map-reading, Garfield allows his varied, expertly researched stories to speak for themselves, and in so doing helps us see that there are fewer things in life more useful, rewarding and beautiful than a map that does what it's supposed to. Perhaps if Apple had read the book a few months ago, today's iPhone users would have a much better idea of where they're going.' -- Daily Telegraph
'He takes us on a fascinating voyage ... and is a lively companion for the journey' Scotsman
'He hops around the world, ancient and modern, with glee, dispensing information, both learned and chatty. On the Map is informative and entertaining, and good fun ... fascinating.' --Irish Times
'There couldn't be anyone better to write about our love for maps than Simon Garfield, who is a master at unearthing strange facts and mixing them with a lively personal narrative ... fascinating' -- Giles Foden, Conde Nast Traveller
'Completely enthralling' -- Daily Mail
'Garfield has a genius for being sparked to life by esoteric enthusiasm and charming readers with his delight' -- The Times
'Simon Garfield's new book is a rollicking sweep through map history, packed with curiosities and written with verve ... On The Map will inspire you to take a trip to somewhere new, buy an antique globe to chart the rise and fall of empires, or just dig out a tatty orange Ordnance Survey Explorer map and let its filigree of contour lines evoke a long-forgotten walk in the rain ... a great book.' Independent on Sunday
'This book is a joy and should be an absolute smash hit' Press Association
'Stunning ... As one of the UK's leading contemporary polymaths, Garfield's always a joy to read'Monocle
'Garfield's genial prose twinkles with the delight of discovery' --Wanderlust
'A pub quizzer's dream ... Rather than over-romanticise the experience of map-reading, Garfield allows his varied, expertly researched stories to speak for themselves, and in so doing helps us see that there are fewer things in life more useful, rewarding and beautiful than a map that does what it's supposed to. Perhaps if Apple had read the book a few months ago, today's iPhone users would have a much better idea of where they're going.' -- Daily Telegraph
'He takes us on a fascinating voyage ... and is a lively companion for the journey' Scotsman
'He hops around the world, ancient and modern, with glee, dispensing information, both learned and chatty. On the Map is informative and entertaining, and good fun ... fascinating.' --Irish Times
Book Description
From Mappa Mundi to Google Maps - the bestselling Just My Type author turns his gaze to maps
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
55 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By Big Jim
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
I don't think the author will mind if I say this book is not strictly for cartography academics, but for the more general reader with an interest in maps, mapping, exploration and the like. In this regard it succeeds admirably, using a breezy style to whisk you through a potted history of the subject which is easy to read and understand. I have to confess that there was a fair bit in here that was already familiar to me and would also be familiar to anyone with an interest in maps already. For example there isn't much in the chapter on the Ordnance Survey that isn't in Map of a Nation: A Biography of the Ordnance Survey but nevertheless it is still worth reading within the context of this book. having said that I wasn't aware of the The Mountains of Kong - `a Chain of Great Mountains' - which appeared on James Rennell's map in 1798 and didn't actually exist, so there is something for everyone here.
Split into short and sharp chapters this is a book that lends itself equally to a solid read through, or as a book to pick through as and when you get the chance. Lavishly illustrated, as the saying goes, I would caution anyone thinking of getting this on Kindle that these illustrations and maps don't reproduce well on the Kindle itself but are fine if using a tablet or the Kindle App on a laptop
Split into short and sharp chapters this is a book that lends itself equally to a solid read through, or as a book to pick through as and when you get the chance. Lavishly illustrated, as the saying goes, I would caution anyone thinking of getting this on Kindle that these illustrations and maps don't reproduce well on the Kindle itself but are fine if using a tablet or the Kindle App on a laptop
30 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By des hill
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have just received and dipped into the book to sample the text, and am looking forward to reading a lot more, so I err towards 5* for the writing. What really jars, when the book should hold hopes of tactile pleasure, is the awful paper, on which the book is printed. Cheap, nasty, horrible, it looks and feels and smells of newsprint and undoubtedly is the reason for the poor reproductions. The Thames and Hudson 'World of Art' series are comparable, about 2/3 the price, pro rata, printed on fine glossy paper, impressive reproduction of photos and drawings, and have proper stitched binding/spines as well. Why did Profile books chose to ignore quality ?
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Celestial
Format:Hardcover
Despite reviews to the contrary, I think this book is a beautiful thing - great cover, (even stood up to Garfield's last book 'Just My Type', which had one of my favourite covers ever), and the paper looked like it had been chosen to evoke the musty, dusty feel of old maps - in a good way! Shiny `text book' type paper would just not have worked as well. And the book proves that Garfield can spin a kooky, interesting tale from any subject matter - so it's a great read even if you're not interested in maps. I, for one, couldn't put it down.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good, though disappointed by the poor quality of the...
I have been fascinated by maps since childhood. This is a fascinating book about the history of maps and map-making from the very earliest representations on stone, clay tablet,... Read more
Published 14 days ago by John Hopper
2.0 out of 5 stars
bad illustrations and dull
I spent some time reading this book in a bookstore and I was fascinated by the first chapter, although it was obvious that the pictures and the paper are of very low quality. Read more
Published 1 month ago by AlexK
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but.......
There is a genre of books appearing these days which arise from dedicated people who choose a subject and then assemble compendious volumes of internet research into a book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't get lost !
this is a fascinating book. It is amazing how one can get immersed in a book of words about maps !
Published 1 month ago by A. Rodriguez-Veglio
5.0 out of 5 stars
maps
This interesting book traces the history of maps from the mists of time to Google maps and beyond.
With 22 self standing chapters that do not have to be read in any particular... Read more
With 22 self standing chapters that do not have to be read in any particular... Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. I. Forbes
2.0 out of 5 stars
Tedious and dull
The typical product of somebody who knows nothing about a subject, but who then goes and researches it and presents their findings in a way to try to appear authoritative. Read more
Published 1 month ago by WebSanity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Was 'Book of the Week' on BBC Radio 4.
I heard this being read on the radio and found it illuminating. A really interesting and useful book to use when looking at the discovery and history of countries.
Published 1 month ago by Roger de Coverley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
A good book but a shame about the illustrations. They should reprint this with better quality maps because the text is very interesting.
Published 2 months ago by northern fan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Facinating
I learned a lot - would recommend this to anyone interested in mapping the world we live in. Writing style makes a potentially obscure subject very readable.
Published 2 months ago by Gini
4.0 out of 5 stars
Still reading it!!
As soon as I finish I will tell you.. I just received the book two day ago and I enjoying it for the moment.
Published 2 months ago by Walter
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