On The Map: Why the world looks the way it does Main Edition

Praise for Just My Type

‘Every so often someone writes a book about an obscure subject and uses it to illuminate the rest of the world… this is one of the best

— William Leith ― Evening Standard

After being walked through these stories, it’s difficult to even look at a cereal packet in the same way again ― Observer

This is a smart, funny, accessible book that does for typography what Truss’s Eats, Shoots & Leaves did for punctuation ― New York Times

Advance Praise for On the Map: Just when you think there have been enough books written on maps, the best one comes along — Patrick Neale, Booksellers’ Choice ― The Bookseller

Will no doubt dominate the Christmas market — Emma Herdman, Booksellers’ Choice ― The Bookseller

Simon Garfield had great success with Just My Type, so looks certain to repeat this with On the Map. — Sarah Clarke, Booksellers’ Choice ― The Bookseller

There couldn’t be anyone better to write about our love of maps than Simon Garfield, who is a master at unearthing strange facts and mixing them with a lively personal narrative . . . fascinating — Giles Foden ― Condé Nast Traveller Published On: 2012-11-01

Garfield has a genius for being sparked to life by esoteric enthusiasm and charming readers with his delight. — Iain Finlayson ― Times Published On: 2012-10-06

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. — Mark Wilson ― Independent on Sunday Published On: 2012-10-07

A stunning celebration of the cartographic. As one of the UK’s leading contemporary polymaths, Garfield’s always a joy to read for his gossamer-light show of rigorous learning, his shed-dweller precision in research and his infectious glee in passing on the golden nugget of fact. — Robert Bound ― Monocle Published On: 2012-10-01

Garfield’s genial prose twinkles with the delight of discovery — Tom Hawker ― Wanderlust Published On: 2012-10-01

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. — David Clack ― Daily Telegraph Published On: 2012-10-27

He takes us on a fascinating voyage . . . and is a lively companion for the journey. — Douglas Osler ― Scotsman Published On: 2012-11-03

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. — John S Doyle ― Irish Times Published On: 2012-11-03

From Mappa Mundi to Google Maps – the bestselling Just My Type author turns his gaze to maps.

Packed with accompanying map illustrations and images.