Description

Book Synopsis

THE EXTRAORDINARY TALE OF THE FATHER OF MODERN GEOLOGY

Hidden behind velvet curtains above a stairway in a house in London''s Piccadilly is an enormous and beautiful hand-coloured map - the first geological map of anywhere in the world. Its maker was a farmer''s son named William Smith. Born in 1769 his life was troubled: he was imprisoned for debt, turned out of his home, his work was plagiarised, his wife went insane and the scientific establishment shunned him.

It was not until 1829, when a Yorkshire aristocrat recognised his genius, that he was returned to London in triumph: The Map That Changed the World is his story.

''For a geologist, this is a must read'' Amazon Reviewer

''It serves to lift a genius from academic semi-obscurity and to award him the acknowledgement he undoubtedly deserves'' Amazon Reviewer

''Never realised how seminal this map was'' Amazon Reviewer

The Map That Changed the World

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by Simon Winchester

    £11.69

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £12.99 – you save £1.30 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 2 Sep 2026.

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester

      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
      Published 4 July 2002
      ISBN-13 9780140280395
      978-0140280395
      ISBN-10 0140280391
      Also in:
      Biography Biography: adventurers and explorers Earth Sciences, Geography & Environment Cartography, map-making and projections Natural History The Earth: natural history: general interest

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      THE EXTRAORDINARY TALE OF THE FATHER OF MODERN GEOLOGY

      Hidden behind velvet curtains above a stairway in a house in London''s Piccadilly is an enormous and beautiful hand-coloured map - the first geological map of anywhere in the world. Its maker was a farmer''s son named William Smith. Born in 1769 his life was troubled: he was imprisoned for debt, turned out of his home, his work was plagiarised, his wife went insane and the scientific establishment shunned him.

      It was not until 1829, when a Yorkshire aristocrat recognised his genius, that he was returned to London in triumph: The Map That Changed the World is his story.

      ''For a geologist, this is a must read'' Amazon Reviewer

      ''It serves to lift a genius from academic semi-obscurity and to award him the acknowledgement he undoubtedly deserves'' Amazon Reviewer

      ''Never realised how seminal this map was'' Amazon Reviewer

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account