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

[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