Title
A history of the world in twelve maps / Jerry Brotton.
ISBN
9780670023394 hardcover
0670023396 hardcover
Imprint
New York, N.Y. : Viking, 2013.
Language
English
Description
xix, 521 p., [48] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.) ; 24 cm.
Call Number
G1030 .B7 2013
Dewey Decimal Classification
911
Summary
"A fascinating look at twelve maps-from Ancient Greece to Google Earth-and how they changed our world In this masterful study, historian and cartography expert Jerry Brotton explores a dozen of history's most influential maps, from stone tablet to vibrant computer screen. Starting with Ptolemy, "father of modern geography," and ending with satellite cartography, A History of the World in 12 Maps brings maps from classical Greece, Renaissance Europe, and the Islamic and Buddhist worlds to life and reveals their influence on how we-literally-look at our present world. As Brotton shows, the long road to our present geographical reality was rife with controversy, manipulation, and special interests trumping science. Through the centuries maps have been wielded to promote any number of imperial, religious, and economic agendas, and have represented the idiosyncratic and uneasy fusion of science and subjectivity. Brotton also conjures the worlds that produced these notable works of cartography and tells the stories of those who created, used, and misused them for their own ends"-- Provided by publisher.
"In this masterful study, historian and cartography expert Jerry Brotton explores a dozen of history's most influential maps, from stone tablet to vibrant computer screen. Starting with Ptolemy, "father of modern geography," and ending with satellite cartography, A History of the World in 12 Maps brings maps from classical Greece, Renaissance Europe, and the Islamic and Buddhist worlds to life and reveals their influence on how we--literally--look at our present world. As Brotton shows, the long road to our present geographical reality was rife with controversy, manipulation, and special interests trumping science. Through the centuries maps have been wielded to promote any number of imperial, religious, and economic agendas, and have represented the idiosyncratic and uneasy fusion of science and subjectivity. Brotton also conjures the worlds that produced these notable works of cartography and tells the stories of those who created, used, and misused them for their own ends"-- Provided by publisher.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Introduction
Science: Ptolemy's 'Geography,' c. AD 150
Exchange: Al-Idrīsī, AD 1154
Faith: Hereford 'Mappamundi,' c. 1300
Empire: Kangnido World Map, 1402
Discovery: Martin Waldseemüller, World Map, 1507
Globalism: Diogo Ribeiro, World Map, 1529
Toleration: Gerard Mercator, World Map, 1569
Money: Joan Blaeu, 'Atlas maior,' 1662
Nation: The Cassini Family, Map of France, 1793
Geopolitics: Halford Mackinder, 'The Geographical Pivot of History', 1904
Equality: The Peters Projection, 1973
Information: Google Earth, 2012
Conclusion: The eye of history?
