The Map That Changed the World

William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology

    • 3.6 • 25 Ratings
    • $12.99
    • $12.99

Publisher Description

In 1793, a canal digger named William Smith made a startling discovery. He found that by tracing the placement of fossils, which he uncovered in his excavations, one could follow layers of rocks as they dipped and rose and fell—clear across England and, indeed, clear across the world—making it possible, for the first time ever, to draw a chart of the hidden underside of the earth. Smith spent twenty-two years piecing together the fragments of this unseen universe to create an epochal and remarkably beautiful hand-painted map. But instead of receiving accolades and honors, he ended up in debtors' prison, the victim of plagiarism, and virtually homeless for ten years more.

The Map That Changed the World is a very human tale of endurance and achievement, of one man's dedication in the face of ruin. With a keen eye and thoughtful detail, Simon Winchester unfolds the poignant sacrifice behind this world-changing discovery.

GENRE
Science & Nature
RELEASED
2009
October 27
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
368
Pages
PUBLISHER
HarperCollins e-books
SELLER
HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS
SIZE
4.2
MB

Customer Reviews

Jro311 ,

Geology at it's core

This is one of the most interesting and intriguing geologic books of all time. A must read for any geologist or anyone interested in earth science!

Happy in Newport Beach ,

The Map that Changed the World

I read this with the same enjoyment with which I have read several of the author's previous books. You have the pleasure of being transported to another time and end in learning something you did not know before.

James Cassidy
Balboa Island, California

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