A Journey Back in Time Through Maps

The book explores how perceptions of the world map have changed through the centuries, juxtaposing 18th-century Buddhist cartography in Japan with European mercantile maps. It also follows speculative cartographers as they debate theories about what must fill the great unknown in scientific academies in Paris, London, and St. Petersburg.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2023
Publisher: White Star

In our contemporary era, where satellite imagery and GPS services like Google Maps provide remarkably accurate depictions of the world, it's easy to overlook the fact that for much of human history, the world remained a mysterious and uncharted terrain upon which cartographers, scientists, religious figures, and rulers etched their own visions and ideals. This revised and expanded edition, featuring approximately 15 maps, delves into the evolving perceptions of the world map across centuries and diverse cultures. It juxtaposes 18th-century Buddhist cartography in Japan with European mercantile maps of the same era. It accompanies speculative cartographers as they engage in scholarly debates in the scientific academies of Paris, London, and St. Petersburg, discussing theories about what must occupy the vast unknown. The book offers a captivating perspective on the emergence of the modern world view through the cartographic lens.

In our contemporary era, where satellite imagery and GPS services like Google Maps provide remarkably accurate depictions of the world, it's easy to overlook the fact that for much of human history, the world remained a mysterious and uncharted terrain upon which cartographers, scientists, religious figures, and rulers etched their own visions and ideals. This revised and expanded edition, featuring approximately 15 maps, delves into the evolving perceptions of the world map across centuries and diverse cultures. It juxtaposes 18th-century Buddhist cartography in Japan with European mercantile maps of the same era. It accompanies speculative cartographers as they engage in scholarly debates in the scientific academies of Paris, London, and St. Petersburg, discussing theories about what must occupy the vast unknown. The book offers a captivating perspective on the emergence of the modern world view through the cartographic lens.

Weight: 1974g
Dimension: 314 x 275 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788854413207