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History of Cities in Maps
The a concept nearly as old as history itself, it is a paradox of human innovation and intervention, order and conflict. From ancient civilizations to modern-day metropolises, maps have played a crucial role in urban progress. This book explores the development of cities through more than 70 captivating maps.
Each map in this beautifully designed volume gives a unique visual representation of and historical context to the city it surveys. Spanning more than 9,000 years, this book expertly curates more than 70 historical maps which tell the fascinating story of human from cities founded on sacred places, ideas and power, to early examples of town planning and later innovations such as skyscrapers and urban transport.
Featuring maps of renowned capital cities as well as lesser-known urban areas,
Mohenjo-Daro, c. 2500 BCBabylon, c. 600 BCRome, c. 210 ADBaghdad, 762 ADConstantinople, 1422Tenochtitlan, 1524Dublin, 1610Kyoto, 1626New Amsterdam, 1660Edinburgh, 1780Adelaide, 1838Lagos, 1885Los Angeles, 1908Brasilia, 1957Chongqing, 2016Dubai, 2020An ideal book for map and history lovers. For more in this series try History of World Trade in Maps (9780008409296) and History of War in Maps (9780008506490).
Each map in this beautifully designed volume gives a unique visual representation of and historical context to the city it surveys. Spanning more than 9,000 years, this book expertly curates more than 70 historical maps which tell the fascinating story of human from cities founded on sacred places, ideas and power, to early examples of town planning and later innovations such as skyscrapers and urban transport.
Featuring maps of renowned capital cities as well as lesser-known urban areas,
Mohenjo-Daro, c. 2500 BCBabylon, c. 600 BCRome, c. 210 ADBaghdad, 762 ADConstantinople, 1422Tenochtitlan, 1524Dublin, 1610Kyoto, 1626New Amsterdam, 1660Edinburgh, 1780Adelaide, 1838Lagos, 1885Los Angeles, 1908Brasilia, 1957Chongqing, 2016Dubai, 2020An ideal book for map and history lovers. For more in this series try History of World Trade in Maps (9780008409296) and History of War in Maps (9780008506490).
- GenresNonfictionHistory
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 26, 2024
8 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 16, 2024
A pretty decent book, allowing one to browse serious subjects in a not-too-heavy manner, and to discover the history of cities across the world, as long as they all had a convenient map at least. So we start with the ancient town of Mohendro-daro, a place where our knowledge is limited by not knowing the local language at all, but whose plumbing was exemplary for the time, so while it had no walls or major fortifications, and while we know nothing about the people there and their beliefs, etc, we can certainly assume they had no excuse for not getting clean. The next entries, on Babylon and Athens, show the format is not necessarily one page of map, one page of text per city – these get more text and the image over a double-page spread all to itself.
But these also show, in the writing, that this is a book regarding the history of multiple cities – not necessarily The City as a concept. Athens is an entry that tells us about that place, not what the site tells us about urbanisation, city development, etc. That said, the next entry, Priene, in Turkey, courtesy the Greeks, is an early masterpiece of the grid-styled layout, so there is something of a timeline about cities in general to be had, and the failed experiment of Palmanova, Venice, is a half-and-half chapter, taking us to one place and teaching us about that and the ideals of the city in general at that time.
Ultimately we learn a lot about many diverse places, and not strictly what it means to be a city. Some times the map is rather underwhelming, but it catches a more or less key time in a place's progress – none more so the one of Paris once Haussmann was finished with it, or Berlin with its wall. If you know you're in for dozens of smaller narratives, as opposed to one continuous lesson, this is a pretty good look at the history of the world's metropolises. Either way it's a perfectly accessible history book. Zoom in on any living map and you'll squint to see a librarian buying a copy – it would not be a bad idea to follow in her footsteps.
But these also show, in the writing, that this is a book regarding the history of multiple cities – not necessarily The City as a concept. Athens is an entry that tells us about that place, not what the site tells us about urbanisation, city development, etc. That said, the next entry, Priene, in Turkey, courtesy the Greeks, is an early masterpiece of the grid-styled layout, so there is something of a timeline about cities in general to be had, and the failed experiment of Palmanova, Venice, is a half-and-half chapter, taking us to one place and teaching us about that and the ideals of the city in general at that time.
Ultimately we learn a lot about many diverse places, and not strictly what it means to be a city. Some times the map is rather underwhelming, but it catches a more or less key time in a place's progress – none more so the one of Paris once Haussmann was finished with it, or Berlin with its wall. If you know you're in for dozens of smaller narratives, as opposed to one continuous lesson, this is a pretty good look at the history of the world's metropolises. Either way it's a perfectly accessible history book. Zoom in on any living map and you'll squint to see a librarian buying a copy – it would not be a bad idea to follow in her footsteps.
October 1, 2024
This is an extraordinary book. First of all, it is a heavyweight, large format hardback, with a vivid, bright yellow cover that depicts an ancient map illustration on the front. Best read with the book on a desk as this really is weighty.
It needs to be a big book as the many authentic maps are very detailed and some are quite difficult to decipher. Most are simply worth having a large format to truly take in the information they offer. The cities are varied, from Liverpool and Edinburgh, to classical cities such as Rome Athens and Babylon and modern places that are yet to be built. The images are original with many being very colourful displaying brilliant artwork.
The text is informative, historically astute and significant. The introduction states 'The history of mankind is the history of the city' and explains that each of the maps (more than sixty) demonstrates 'a key moment in the development of urban life'. This is a fascinating theme that runs throughout and includes the influence of military locations, industry, trading, sacred places, agriculture and the effects of war. Some cities are no longer here, having failed to survive, like Babylon, others have reinvented themselves, like Beijing. Each chapter is titled as an indication of how the city evolved: 'A City Forged in Fire' (London, 1680, following the Great Fire), 'The End of the Enlightenment' (Berlin, 1773) and 'A Capital Deposed' (St Petersburg, 1753).
A beautifully produced book, too, one that can be dipped into as there is a lot to take on, or simply to gaze at the intricate illustrations. However, the pull of this is such that you may well sit down to read and absorb all that is between the sturdy covers and not lift your head until it is all consumed. As I did. Fabulous book for anyone interested in history, civilisation, travel and maps, or simply finding an enjoyable way to expand your mind.
It needs to be a big book as the many authentic maps are very detailed and some are quite difficult to decipher. Most are simply worth having a large format to truly take in the information they offer. The cities are varied, from Liverpool and Edinburgh, to classical cities such as Rome Athens and Babylon and modern places that are yet to be built. The images are original with many being very colourful displaying brilliant artwork.
The text is informative, historically astute and significant. The introduction states 'The history of mankind is the history of the city' and explains that each of the maps (more than sixty) demonstrates 'a key moment in the development of urban life'. This is a fascinating theme that runs throughout and includes the influence of military locations, industry, trading, sacred places, agriculture and the effects of war. Some cities are no longer here, having failed to survive, like Babylon, others have reinvented themselves, like Beijing. Each chapter is titled as an indication of how the city evolved: 'A City Forged in Fire' (London, 1680, following the Great Fire), 'The End of the Enlightenment' (Berlin, 1773) and 'A Capital Deposed' (St Petersburg, 1753).
A beautifully produced book, too, one that can be dipped into as there is a lot to take on, or simply to gaze at the intricate illustrations. However, the pull of this is such that you may well sit down to read and absorb all that is between the sturdy covers and not lift your head until it is all consumed. As I did. Fabulous book for anyone interested in history, civilisation, travel and maps, or simply finding an enjoyable way to expand your mind.
October 7, 2024
This is an absolutely stunning and immersive book.
The collection of over sixty maps covers an impressive range of cities, from ancient metropolises like Babylon and Athens to modern urban centers like New York and Beijing. Each map is a window into a particular moment in a city's evolution, highlighting key events like the Great Fire of London or the fall of Berlin's wall. The vibrant artwork and historic details pull you in, and some of the maps are so complex and detailed that you’ll want to spend time examining every corner.
The accompanying text is just as captivating as the visuals. Each chapter is dedicated to a different city, blending historical facts with fascinating insights into the military, industrial, and cultural forces that shaped these places. The book's underlying theme—“The history of mankind is the history of the city”—is a powerful concept that echoes throughout, showing how urban spaces have been the driving force behind civilization.
What I loved most was how this book doesn’t just give a history lesson—it invites you to explore. Whether it's cities that have been lost to time or those that have been reborn, the narrative offers rich perspectives on how cities influence and reflect the human experience.
This is a book to be savored. It’s perfect for history buffs, map enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the evolution of urban spaces. Whether you dip in to appreciate the beautiful illustrations or dive into the detailed historical accounts, History of Cities in Maps is a treasure trove of knowledge and art. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Philip Parker for providing a complimentary digital copy in exchange for an honest review
The collection of over sixty maps covers an impressive range of cities, from ancient metropolises like Babylon and Athens to modern urban centers like New York and Beijing. Each map is a window into a particular moment in a city's evolution, highlighting key events like the Great Fire of London or the fall of Berlin's wall. The vibrant artwork and historic details pull you in, and some of the maps are so complex and detailed that you’ll want to spend time examining every corner.
The accompanying text is just as captivating as the visuals. Each chapter is dedicated to a different city, blending historical facts with fascinating insights into the military, industrial, and cultural forces that shaped these places. The book's underlying theme—“The history of mankind is the history of the city”—is a powerful concept that echoes throughout, showing how urban spaces have been the driving force behind civilization.
What I loved most was how this book doesn’t just give a history lesson—it invites you to explore. Whether it's cities that have been lost to time or those that have been reborn, the narrative offers rich perspectives on how cities influence and reflect the human experience.
This is a book to be savored. It’s perfect for history buffs, map enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the evolution of urban spaces. Whether you dip in to appreciate the beautiful illustrations or dive into the detailed historical accounts, History of Cities in Maps is a treasure trove of knowledge and art. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Philip Parker for providing a complimentary digital copy in exchange for an honest review
January 28, 2025
With thanks to the author, publishers Collins Reference, and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a beautifully illustrated book containing historic maps of a variety of urban locations, from major cities that we are all familiar with today such as Rome and Los Angeles, to perhaps lesser-known urban settlements from history such as Mohenjo-Daro and Tenochtitlan.
The maps presented date from 2500 BC right up to the present day, and show not just how those particular locations have evolved throughout history, but also how the reality of an urban settlement has changed in that time from the point of view of things town planning, transport, and how politics, culture and technology have influenced those changes.
I got the hardback version of this book from my local library after reading through this DRC, and it is worth noting that the maps are particularly stunning and engaging in that physical format.
This is a beautifully illustrated book containing historic maps of a variety of urban locations, from major cities that we are all familiar with today such as Rome and Los Angeles, to perhaps lesser-known urban settlements from history such as Mohenjo-Daro and Tenochtitlan.
The maps presented date from 2500 BC right up to the present day, and show not just how those particular locations have evolved throughout history, but also how the reality of an urban settlement has changed in that time from the point of view of things town planning, transport, and how politics, culture and technology have influenced those changes.
I got the hardback version of this book from my local library after reading through this DRC, and it is worth noting that the maps are particularly stunning and engaging in that physical format.
September 25, 2024
Beautiful introduction to cities old and new
In a breathless but thorough tour of 4500 years of cities, Parker's latest visual history gives glimpses into cities old and new, well-known and lesser, from all around the world. Giving almost the same airtime to each city, there's only room for highlights, but what highlights! For me, this is a gateway into more reading into the histories of these cities, especially the lesser known ones, or the ones that are no longer there. I will be poring over this for a long time, taking virtual and, in hope, actual visits to these fascinating and delightful places.
A solid four stars.
In a breathless but thorough tour of 4500 years of cities, Parker's latest visual history gives glimpses into cities old and new, well-known and lesser, from all around the world. Giving almost the same airtime to each city, there's only room for highlights, but what highlights! For me, this is a gateway into more reading into the histories of these cities, especially the lesser known ones, or the ones that are no longer there. I will be poring over this for a long time, taking virtual and, in hope, actual visits to these fascinating and delightful places.
A solid four stars.
January 11, 2026
There are interesting topics in the book and the maps are really cool to explore, but this book lacks basic editing and grammar and I couldn’t help but notice them. In every chapter, I found mistakes and sentences that didn’t make much sense. I wouldn’t normally leave such a bunt review, but I do question how these were all missed before being printed
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews