The 1960s | Maps for Curious Minds: 100 New Ways to See a Turbulent Decade

by Gordon Kerr, Claire Rollet (illustrator)

See the 1960s like never before

An illustrated romp in 100 maps that bring the decade’s riveting history to life—in signature Curious Minds style, brimming with I-never-would-have-thought-of-that maps and illustrations

The 1960s had it all: cultural transformation, social upheaval, political unrest, technological leaps, and more. But until now, it’s never been brought to vivid life in such extraordinarily informative maps, brimming with I-never-would-have-thought-of-that insight and delectable illustrations that remind us why the 1960s was arguably the most consequential decade of the twentieth century. Some of the maps are serious (the terrible wave of assassinations), some are fascinating (Apollo 11’s harrowing journey to the moon and back), some are fun (the rise of soul, British pop, and folk music), and all are eye-catching. Together they form a fresh and revealing portrait of a momentous, enduring decade that changed the world in ways that continue to reverberate today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Gordon Kerr was born in the Scottish new town of East Kilbride and worked in the wine trade and then bookselling and publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of numerous books in a variety of genres, including art, history, true crime, travel and humour. He has a wife and two children and lives in Hampshire and—when he can—South West France.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

This is an amazing history book, especially for middle school or high schoolers, although it would still be a great read for any adult who loves learning history.

I really love the breakdowns of the different sections of everything going on in the decade. There is so much information in here, much that I didn't know, and even more that I had forgotten I knew. Absolutely loved the illustrations. I will definitely be looking into the other books in this series.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The 1960s | Maps for Curious Minds: 100 New Ways to See a Turbulent Decade by Gordon Kerr, Claire Rollet (illustrator)

Rating: 4 Stars

I picked up The 1960s | Maps for Curious Minds expecting a clever gimmick and left feeling pleasantly educated and entertained. This is a four-star read for me — not perfect, but a really smart, well-executed way to revisit one of the most consequential decades of the twentieth century.

At its core the book does one thing very well: it turns the chaotic, layered story of the 1960s into 100 distinct maps and illustrated spreads that tease out patterns, surprises, and connections you don’t usually see in a straight narrative. Kerr’s approach is part atlas, part infographic gallery, and part cultural scrapbook. Some maps are sobering — clusters of political violence and the assassination wave that rocked multiple countries — while others are thrillingly technical, like the pathway of Apollo 11 and the logistics behind getting men safely to the Moon and back. Then there are the lighter, irresistible spreads that chart the rise of British pop, soul, and folk scenes, or visualize the fashions, television shows, and everyday life that made the decade so iconic.

Claire Rollet’s full-color illustrations are a standout. They’re playful without being flippant and detailed without being cluttered, which helps the book land for a wide audience. The visual language makes complex information immediately accessible, so this would be an excellent pick for curious middle grade or high-school readers, yet it still offers plenty for adults who enjoy history presented in a fresh way. I found myself learning small facts I’d never known and rediscovering things I’d once learned and forgotten — the kind of reading that scratches that satisfying “I didn’t know that!” itch over and over.

Organization is another strength: the book breaks the decade into themed sections that make the sprawling era feel manageable. That structure helps you jump around — you can linger on the cultural maps one minute and dive into political movements the next — without losing the sense that you’re building a coherent picture of the times.

Why not five stars? A couple of maps lean a bit toward novelty rather than depth, so if you want an exhaustive academic history, this isn’t that. The format favors breadth and visual cleverness over deep analysis, which is exactly what it intends to do — but it means some topics get only a snapshot rather than a full treatment.

Bottom line: I loved the cover, loved the illustrations, and appreciated how the format made the 1960s refreshingly immediate and readable. It’s a terrific history-lite resource for young readers and an enjoyable coffee-table book for adults who like to learn in a visually driven way. I’m already planning to check out other titles in the Maps for Curious Minds series.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Jerry Edward Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 1960s were certainly a decade to remember. The decade began with John F. Kennedy campaigning for president and becoming our nation’s first Catholic president. It also included his assassination in Dallas, a new president from Texas, assassinations of several prominent public people, several large and noteworthy musical events, serious crowd gatherings and traumatic riots, the divisive expansion of the Viet Nam War, and the first men stepping foot on the Moon. This new book identifies 100 new ways to graphically see what this decade was all about. The compiler has experience in bookselling and publishing. He is the author of books in art, history, travel, and humor. He says he has a definite passion for the 1960s which is amply demonstrated by the graphic information displayed in this new book. This experience is amply demonstrated by the range of information displayed. The information presented is certainly the subjective choices of the author and compiler. It is always possible for anyone to question the additions or omissions on any list. This book does not, as one example, include Francisco Franco of Spain among the dictators active in the 1960s. That does seem somewhat curious considering how Franco survived in power while his contemporaries, Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini, both died violent deaths. Franco survived to define how post-war Spain developed. Highly recommended for the reader interested in the 1960s and who prefer the story be presented in a graphic and entertaining manner. Highly recommended for the reader interested in the 1960s and to those who may prefer the story be presented in a graphic and entertaining manner.

[John Schorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those books that doesn't really cross your mind at first, but once you've read it, you think, "Sure, why not?" Some of the topics here make sense in any sort of history, but others are off the wall... the hippie trail, the travel habits of Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Paul VI, and The Beatles, the Twist around the world, and the Merry Pranksters' bus tour. The best bit of information here? That Yuri Gagarin's first task upon finishing becoming the first human in space was having to find a phone to tell his bosses where he had landed.