Maps that Made History

1000 Years of World History in 100 Old Maps Martijn Storms

280 x 340 mm | 432 pages | 110,000 words full colour images | hardcover all rights available | English manuscript in production 100 exceptional maps that put their mark on world history The most beautiful cartography from the renowned collection of Leiden University in a luxurious XL format From the worldview of Isidorus of Seville (7th century) to a Chinese propaganda map from 2013

Maps that Made History takes you on a 1000 year long journey around the world. Every one of the 100 carefully selected maps has influenced the course of history. The maps were used to resolve conflicts, wage wars, construct roads or canals, oversee important shipping routes or as a propaganda tool. They visualised territories and developments for the first time or in a very unique way. Some maps remained curiosities, others became world famous.

This book compiles 100 marvellous maps, 100 interesting stories and 250 extra full colour illustrations. From a Persian world atlas from the 12th century to a soviet spy map. From London to Ceylon, Guyana, Philadelphia and the Sahara. Each map is shown in large dimensions. An experienced team of historians then explains how this map has written history.

Martijn Storms is Curator of Maps and Atlases of the University Libraries Leiden. He is assisted by a team of curators and historians connected to Leiden University: Michiel van Groesen, Kasper van Ommen, Anne-Isabelle Richard, Alicia Schrikker and Garrelt Verhoeven. Some twenty texts will be provided by Dutch, Belgian and international guest authors. With an introduction by British best-selling author Simon Winchester.