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Great City Maps
Step onto the streets of cities around the world, and understand the cultures and civilizations that created them with Great City Maps.
With a foreword by Professor Jeremy Black, this beautifully illustrated book explores the world's most celebrated historical city maps. Richly detailed ancient and modern maps of important cities take you on a journey across the globe in stunning detail, from Athens to Alexandria and Cape Town to Cairo, with close up views of each city's most intriguing features.
Great City Maps gives you more than just a bird's-eye-view, telling the tales behind the city from the hubs of ancient civilization to modern mega-cities. Follow the history of maps and their stories, with profiles of iconic cartographers and artists showing you who created each map, how, and why.
Perfect for history, geography and cartography enthusiasts and a stunning gift for armchair explorers of all ages, Great City Maps is your window into the world's most fascinating cities.
With a foreword by Professor Jeremy Black, this beautifully illustrated book explores the world's most celebrated historical city maps. Richly detailed ancient and modern maps of important cities take you on a journey across the globe in stunning detail, from Athens to Alexandria and Cape Town to Cairo, with close up views of each city's most intriguing features.
Great City Maps gives you more than just a bird's-eye-view, telling the tales behind the city from the hubs of ancient civilization to modern mega-cities. Follow the history of maps and their stories, with profiles of iconic cartographers and artists showing you who created each map, how, and why.
Perfect for history, geography and cartography enthusiasts and a stunning gift for armchair explorers of all ages, Great City Maps is your window into the world's most fascinating cities.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2016
21 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Black
447 books199 followersJeremy Black is an English historian, who was formerly a professor of history at the University of Exeter. He is a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of America and the West at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
Black is the author of over 180 books, principally but not exclusively on 18th-century British politics and international relations, and has been described by one commentator as "the most prolific historical scholar of our age". He has published on military and political history, including Warfare in the Western World, 1882–1975 (2001) and The World in the Twentieth Century (2002).
Black is the author of over 180 books, principally but not exclusively on 18th-century British politics and international relations, and has been described by one commentator as "the most prolific historical scholar of our age". He has published on military and political history, including Warfare in the Western World, 1882–1975 (2001) and The World in the Twentieth Century (2002).
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 20, 2016
Once again, DK Publishing (in partnership with the Smithsonian) has proved they are the leaders when it comes to visual reference books. For anyone who's interested in the development of urban centers and cartography, this book provides a wonderful history of both.
Instead of being arranged chronologically and covering all cities worldwide, the book is broken down into six sections: Ancient Cities, Medieval Trading Centers, Imperial Capitals, Colonial Cities, Ideal Cities, and Megacities. Each section covers only those cities which fit the description (for example, in Colonial Cities, the book looks at Sydney, San Fransisco, Batavia, Quebec, Santo Domingo, and Capt Town) and often will offer a couple different maps from different time periods for certain cities. For example, under Megacities, four different maps of New York are featured, the first from 1660 when it was still New Amsterdam, the last showing the "circle" Subway map from 2013. Each map is broken down to show who drew it, the printing technique, and how many copies exist. Even better, there's a scale, either full-body or human hand, showing just how big the map is in real life. A couple of paragraphs explain the history of the map, squeezing a great deal of information into a small space; there often follows a small box of info labeled "In Context" which details how each particular map fits into the greater history of cartography and exploration, or offering a biography of the person who sponsored the particular map, such as the "Sun King" Louis XIV of France, or the cartographer, such as Francis Fowkes, the creator of the map of Sydney produced in 1788, or even a short history of the city itself. Certain maps have a double-page spread, where more elaborate maps get broken down through a visual tour, close-ups of certain sections which highlight intriguing features and bygone vistas. Each page is jam-packed with information.
Sturdily hardbound with a thick, matte-textured dustcover, this book doesn't just beautify your coffee table but is also a worthwhile addition to your reference bookshelf, too.
Instead of being arranged chronologically and covering all cities worldwide, the book is broken down into six sections: Ancient Cities, Medieval Trading Centers, Imperial Capitals, Colonial Cities, Ideal Cities, and Megacities. Each section covers only those cities which fit the description (for example, in Colonial Cities, the book looks at Sydney, San Fransisco, Batavia, Quebec, Santo Domingo, and Capt Town) and often will offer a couple different maps from different time periods for certain cities. For example, under Megacities, four different maps of New York are featured, the first from 1660 when it was still New Amsterdam, the last showing the "circle" Subway map from 2013. Each map is broken down to show who drew it, the printing technique, and how many copies exist. Even better, there's a scale, either full-body or human hand, showing just how big the map is in real life. A couple of paragraphs explain the history of the map, squeezing a great deal of information into a small space; there often follows a small box of info labeled "In Context" which details how each particular map fits into the greater history of cartography and exploration, or offering a biography of the person who sponsored the particular map, such as the "Sun King" Louis XIV of France, or the cartographer, such as Francis Fowkes, the creator of the map of Sydney produced in 1788, or even a short history of the city itself. Certain maps have a double-page spread, where more elaborate maps get broken down through a visual tour, close-ups of certain sections which highlight intriguing features and bygone vistas. Each page is jam-packed with information.
Sturdily hardbound with a thick, matte-textured dustcover, this book doesn't just beautify your coffee table but is also a worthwhile addition to your reference bookshelf, too.
September 11, 2016
This is a book to savor, whether you are fascinated by old maps or not. High quality paper with beautifully rendered images of maps, arranged in categories from Ancient Cities through Trading Cities, Imperial Capitals, Colonial Cities to Megacities, with in depth narratives on how the City's development was influenced by historical influences. This is the kind of book you can dip into for hours on end.
December 27, 2021
Barring a few inane editorial comments denigrating several historical maps for being more artistic than precisely accurate and then later praising some modern maps for the exact same thing, this is an outstanding resource for anyone interested in historical cartography, the history of cities or looking for examples of cartographic art. With few exceptions, it does a great job covering extremely large maps with an overall view and then several closeups of points of interest with generally insightful editorial comments.
It's probably too shallow for people looking for deep explorations of any given map, but is a great jumping off point to further exploration or just a fun book to skim through if you just like interesting maps.
It's probably too shallow for people looking for deep explorations of any given map, but is a great jumping off point to further exploration or just a fun book to skim through if you just like interesting maps.
December 31, 2025
This was excellent! I have read quite a number of historical maps books, but this is the first that kept my attention enough to read it from cover to cover. Loved the general description of how and why each map was made and then the visual tours were great. I also loved seeing how world cities changed over the centuries.
October 7, 2020
This is one of the most popular coffee table books I’ve ever owned. Full of beautiful maps and information. Even my non-planner friends enjoy it!
June 28, 2018
A great collection of maps/plans which are quite pleasant to look at and also to read about.
March 22, 2017
This is the book I wish Treasures from the Map Room: A Journey through the Bodleian Collections had been! Lots of information on each map included in this beautiful collection, as well as multiple enlarged portions of each map, showing some of the finer or more interesting details. Oh how I wish the Treasures book had done the same thing. What a contrast to it!
My favourite maps: The Mexico City one featured on the cover (an Aztec warrior!), the various London ones showing the city's expansion in time, and the Barcelona 1910 one (the colours for the neighborhoods are lovely). The Turgot Plan of Paris (1739) also get san honourable mention as being a fabulous work of art and detail.
And lastly, imagine my surprise to find Robert Maxwell's inspired Subway map of New York City! His circular or curved metro maps are superb, and I highly recommend other transit fans take a look at them: http://www.tubemapcentral.com/
Beautiful book!!
My favourite maps: The Mexico City one featured on the cover (an Aztec warrior!), the various London ones showing the city's expansion in time, and the Barcelona 1910 one (the colours for the neighborhoods are lovely). The Turgot Plan of Paris (1739) also get san honourable mention as being a fabulous work of art and detail.
And lastly, imagine my surprise to find Robert Maxwell's inspired Subway map of New York City! His circular or curved metro maps are superb, and I highly recommend other transit fans take a look at them: http://www.tubemapcentral.com/
Beautiful book!!
January 5, 2024
“Great City Maps” by The Smithsonian Institute should be savored as the maps which constitute its core intrigue the reader with the gravitas of history, technological development, and cultural tides. Spanning every continent, many millennia, crossing artistic styles, and of varying purpose the provided commentary shows the reader a map’s significant features giving the feeling of an audio guide through a quality museum.
Although part of each map is lost in the book gutter, the most dedicated readers can pair it with an instance of Google Earth, ready to infer how old city walls are demolished into roads and royal palaces converted to museums. While also showing how industrialized cities massively expand the ecumene and humanities ecological footprint.
For the young and old alike, this book inspires a want to investigate old maps of wherever home is. It certainly did for this reviewer.
Although part of each map is lost in the book gutter, the most dedicated readers can pair it with an instance of Google Earth, ready to infer how old city walls are demolished into roads and royal palaces converted to museums. While also showing how industrialized cities massively expand the ecumene and humanities ecological footprint.
For the young and old alike, this book inspires a want to investigate old maps of wherever home is. It certainly did for this reviewer.
May 19, 2018
This book was like a good leisurely wander through a museum exhibit (the medieval/Renaissance maps definitely reminded me of the map gallery at the Vatican, where I lingered for way too long!). If I have one complaint it's that more contemporary maps would have been great to see - the handful from the last 100 years were some of my personal favorites but, there was just that handful - otherwise the book is exactly what it says on the cover and that's really cool.
If you're looking for this at your library, heads up that a) it's big and heavy and b) you will want to renew it at least once to have enough time to flip back and really appreciate the maps!
If you're looking for this at your library, heads up that a) it's big and heavy and b) you will want to renew it at least once to have enough time to flip back and really appreciate the maps!
February 11, 2020
Awesome, gorgeous collection of city maps, which I spent hours poring over in great detail. In addition to being beautiful, the maps chosen for this collection cover an impressive range of artistic styles, time periods, and city designs. Will be of interest to anyone who loves maps, and also those (like me) who spent some of their youth designing and playing with quasi-medieval fantasy city maps.
October 1, 2022
Simply wonderful!
The book is a very interesting combination of history, cartography and art, and it takes the reader on an actual journey through time via the medium of maps.
It's also interesting how maps are not only tools of cartography but also reflections of how people saw cities or wanted cities to be seen. I loved how context was sprinkled throughout, tying everything together.
The book is a very interesting combination of history, cartography and art, and it takes the reader on an actual journey through time via the medium of maps.
It's also interesting how maps are not only tools of cartography but also reflections of how people saw cities or wanted cities to be seen. I loved how context was sprinkled throughout, tying everything together.
September 29, 2019
Got this large coffee-table book on a visit to the bookmobile! I loved the close up pictures of very detailed maps - especially those from other locations outside of Europe and America. I will say I was mostly into this book for the pictures - but it did not disappoint in that area!
September 6, 2020
An enjoyable book - cocktail table or bathroom.
If you enjoy maps, history of maps, artwork of maps, or the evolution of cities, this book is a fun read. Good details pointed out on the accompanying page.
If you enjoy maps, history of maps, artwork of maps, or the evolution of cities, this book is a fun read. Good details pointed out on the accompanying page.
September 25, 2021
Wonderful book with a great selection of maps, well organized and well annotated.
Almost wished the book had had a bigger size; the glossy paper is a nuisance when looking at the maps with artificial light.
Almost wished the book had had a bigger size; the glossy paper is a nuisance when looking at the maps with artificial light.
December 19, 2018
Wonderful reference book for map lovers. DK books are the best!
January 10, 2022
Not only does it contain beautiful maps/drawings the description of how the cities evolved were very intriguing.
August 14, 2022
Beautiful compilation of amazing maps. Lovely coffee table book, not a straight-through read, but all text worth reading.
March 25, 2023
I love love LOVE maps, but I did not like this book and I have no real reason *why* that I can pinpoint.
March 15, 2017
Really interesting selection of city maps throughout history, usually with following pages featuring details of sections of interest from the map, along with a little history of the creator of the map. Many cities are represented with multiple maps, allowing the reader to see how they have changed over time. It gives quite a bit of context to cities, as well as history. I wish I owned a copy for when I'm reading something set in that city/time. Quick but entertaining.
January 31, 2019
This amounts to an illustrated history of cartography, and is an excellent thing to read at a pace of 4 pages per session. It taught me some history I didn't know, but my primary purpose in going through this was writing inspiration and artistic inspiration, and it worked well as both.
It begins with the earliest known examples of city plans (the Çatal Hüyük wall painting, the Nippur fragment, the Roman Temple of Peace marble map) including the Jerusalem mosaic map; and it ends with Sohei Nishino's collage maps which seem rooted in things like the Jerusalem mosaic map.
There are strict projections, and abstractions, and idealized maps, and tourist highpoint maps, and conceptual maps. The variety is instructive, and interesting; I greatly admire the selection. Several cities (Jerusalem, Rome, Beijing, Constantinople, Cairo, Amsterdam, etc.) get several historical representations; so we get a history of the city along with the striking variety of maps.
I like the approach that is used with many of the maps, which is to do a 2-page spread of the map itself, and then having blown-up subsections (often as its own 2-page spread) of notable elements. I also liked the frequent In Context sidebars.
I have several books of maps, and several are dedicated to particular cities, but I read this one cover-to-cover with enjoyment. Recommended.
It begins with the earliest known examples of city plans (the Çatal Hüyük wall painting, the Nippur fragment, the Roman Temple of Peace marble map) including the Jerusalem mosaic map; and it ends with Sohei Nishino's collage maps which seem rooted in things like the Jerusalem mosaic map.
There are strict projections, and abstractions, and idealized maps, and tourist highpoint maps, and conceptual maps. The variety is instructive, and interesting; I greatly admire the selection. Several cities (Jerusalem, Rome, Beijing, Constantinople, Cairo, Amsterdam, etc.) get several historical representations; so we get a history of the city along with the striking variety of maps.
I like the approach that is used with many of the maps, which is to do a 2-page spread of the map itself, and then having blown-up subsections (often as its own 2-page spread) of notable elements. I also liked the frequent In Context sidebars.
I have several books of maps, and several are dedicated to particular cities, but I read this one cover-to-cover with enjoyment. Recommended.
November 29, 2016
This is a fascinating collection of historic city maps spanning centuries, from ancient times to modern day. The maps pictured are full color reproductions, in a coffee table size volume, arranged by city type: Ancient Cities, Medieval Trading Centers, Imperial Capitals, Colonial Cities, Ideal Cities, and Megacities.
We learn the story behind each map – who created it and why. Many maps are artwork. For example, maps were often commissioned as paintings, posters, illustrations, or frescoes; others were designed to aid travel or for military purposes; the reasons are many. In addition to the story behind the map, key locations are highlighted in a visual tour of each city.
Some cities have more than one map, in some cases hundreds of years apart, and it’s interesting to see how the cities have evolved and changed. New Amsterdam/New York and Rome were particularly interesting to me as they are both cities I have visited and can relate to.
These maps are all very, very different, done in a wide variety of styles, and cannot be compared to each other. Rather, each is a snapshot in time; a visual, interesting history lesson of each city that can be enjoyed by everyone. History buffs and those fascinated by maps should be especially delighted.
We learn the story behind each map – who created it and why. Many maps are artwork. For example, maps were often commissioned as paintings, posters, illustrations, or frescoes; others were designed to aid travel or for military purposes; the reasons are many. In addition to the story behind the map, key locations are highlighted in a visual tour of each city.
Some cities have more than one map, in some cases hundreds of years apart, and it’s interesting to see how the cities have evolved and changed. New Amsterdam/New York and Rome were particularly interesting to me as they are both cities I have visited and can relate to.
These maps are all very, very different, done in a wide variety of styles, and cannot be compared to each other. Rather, each is a snapshot in time; a visual, interesting history lesson of each city that can be enjoyed by everyone. History buffs and those fascinated by maps should be especially delighted.
October 19, 2017
Superb illustrations. Beautifully presented. Great gift.
December 25, 2017
3.5 Stars. Very cool book of maps. It has a great flow to it with cities organized by topic and then yearly reviews. I really enjoyed the deep dives into the maps, with close ups of areas and detailed reviews of those areas. Very well done, and pretty book. It was awkward to hold in an over sized coffee table format, but other than that it was very enjoyable.
November 30, 2016
This is a very pleasant book. Else it does mix what the author could find, so you can see the town development in an uneven way or you don't when there is only one map. Why these cities and not others? Back to the first problem: whatever the author could find.
December 25, 2018
Mapy jsou jedna z mých nejoblíbenějších věcí a tahle knížka zajímavě pojednává o velkém množství různě starých map. Jsou to mapy různých měst, z různých roků a různě zpracovány - ale velmi zajímavě. O každé mapě se člověk dozvídá obecnosti, informace o autorovi a občas získá i náhled do detailů.
April 27, 2017
Urban development reference! What a good!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews