https://www.quarto.com/books/9780711293533/40-maps-that-will-change-how-you-see-the-world
Turn the pages of this thought-provoking book and discover maps that challenge conventional wisdom, confront social and political norms, and offer fresh perspectives on familiar landscapes.
This meticulously curated selection of 40 maps spans the ages, from ancient parchment scrolls to cutting-edge digital creations. Each map is a window into a different facet of our world, shedding light on the complex interplay of geography, geopolitics, art, history, science and society.
Maps have always held the power to transport us, not just from one place to another, but from one state of mind to another. Beyond their utilitarian function, maps have an extraordinary ability to tell stories, reveal truths, and inspire revolutions.
They are not mere drawings of geographic boundaries, but gateways to the collective wisdom of humanity. You’ll encounter maps that dissect the intricate tapestry of human migration, maps that unveil the secrets of the cosmos, and maps that expose the stark realities of our changing climate. These maps are not just illustrations; they are provocations, invitations to rethink the world.
40 Maps That Will Change How You See the World is not just a book for geographers or history buffs; it is a profound exploration for anyone with a curious mind. Whether you’re an armchair traveller, a seasoned explorer, a student of geopolitics, or an art aficionado, this book will challenge your preconceptions, spark lively discussions, and deepen your appreciation for the interconnectedness of our world.
“Alastair Bonnett, a maps expert who has written several books about them, has collected 40 far from ordinary maps to inspire, amaze, and educate. His latest, 40 Maps That Will Change How You See The World is a visual delight, a cerebral challenge, and comes with a wealth of research and background facts.” David Wineberg, Medium
“40 Maps That Will Change How You See the World (Ivy Press, 2024) by Alastair Bonnett is a meticulously curated selection of 40 maps that spans the ages, from ancient parchment scrolls to cutting-edge digital creations. Each map is a window into a different facet of our world, shedding light on the complex interplay of geography, geopolitics, art, history, science and society.” Miranda Melcher, New Books Network
“Atlases are generally large, heavy books. The Atlas of Surprising Maps by Alastair Bonnett, professor of social geography at Newcastle University, demonstrates that things can be done differently … Within forty pages, we’ve traveled from nine thousand years ago to the 20th century; what about the selection? Bonnett uses a simple criterion: a map must overwhelm him, so to speak, possess a wow factor. That’s quite something, because the man has seen and studied thousands of them.” Ronald Kranenburg, Geografie, 2025
- Publisher : Ivy Press (19 Sept. 2024)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 192 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0711293538
- ISBN-13 : 978-0711293533
PAPERBACK 2026
Korean Edition, published by M31
지도는 지형지물을 그대로 나타낸 단순한 길안내 수단을 넘어, 압축적인 형식의 무궁무진한 스토리를 품은 정보의 집약체이기도 하다. 다양한 제작 방식과 형태를 통해 지도에는 얼마든 수많은 정보와 비밀, 이야기를 담을 수 있다. 이 책의 저자는 이러한 특기할 만한 지도 40개를 선별해 과거와 현대, 인간과 자연, 과학과 우주에 이르는 광범위한 이야기를 흥미롭게 펼쳐 보인다.
9,000년 전의 마을 지도, 오래전 세계 각국이 바라본 세계 지도, 자연과 과학이 만든 생동감 넘치는 지도, 우주를 상세하게 담아낸 최첨단 지도까지, 이 책에는 호기심을 자극하고 활발한 토론을 이끌며 세상의 상호연결성에 대한 이해를 한층 넓혀줄 정보가 가득하다. 인류의 발자취와 우주의 비밀, 변화하는 기후의 현실까지 생생하게 보여주는 이 지도들은 사고방식의 전환을 촉발하는 자극제이자, 새로운 관점으로 세계를 바라보게 하는 초대장이다.
PRESS
‘Alastair Bonnett İle Dünyayı Değiştiren Haritalar’, Haber Aktuel, March 2025, https://www.haberaktuel.com/alastair-bonnett-ile-dunyayi-degistiren-haritalar-3031025
‘Alastair Bonnett’in Sarsıcı Haritaları’, SonDakika.Com, 11th March 2025, https://www.sondakika.com/teknoloji/haber-alastair-bonnett-in-sarsici-haritalari-18441735/#google_vignette
Interview, ‘6 mapas que “cambiarán tu forma de ver el mundo’, BBC News Mundo, 7 March 2025, https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/cn0j8zv2jrjo
“Estos mapas cambiarán tu forma de ver el mundo y Alastair Bonnett lo sabe: él mismo sintió “un shock de emoción” el día en que descubrió cada uno de ellos.”
Bonnett, A. (2025) ‘The mapping revolution’, Geography, 110, 1, 45-48, https://doi.org/10.1080/00167487.2024.2437951
’The importance of maps’ Geographical, November, 2024, https://geographical.co.uk/news/the-importance-of-maps-with-alastair-bonnett
Public Question and Answer, Reddit, ‘Ask me Anything’, sponsored by Geographical, 17th October 2024, https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1g5lsob/im_alastair_bonnett_author_and_professor_of
Interview, ’40 Maps’, The New Books Network, 16th October 2024, https://newbooksnetwork.com/40-maps-that-will-change-how-you-see-the-world
‘The stunning evolution of maps and what they can reveal’, 5 October 2024, Medium, https://medium.com/the-straight-dope/the-stunning-evolution-of-maps-and-what-they-can-reveal-6ef174ac576d
‘These maps will change how you see the world’, 18 September 2024, New Scientist, https://www.newscientist.com/article/2446762-these-maps-will-change-how-you-see-the-world
Royal Geographical Society-Institute of British Geographers Annual Conference, ‘Maps that will Change How you See the World, Geography key note lecture, London, 29 August 2024
Alastair Bonnett 