On The Map

Garfield has a genius for being sparked to life by esoteric enthusiasm and charming readers with his delight. The Times A rollicking sweep through map history, packed with curiosities and written with verve Independent on Sunday Garfield allows his varied, expertly researched stories to speak for themselves, and in so doing helps us see that there are fewer things in life more useful, rewarding and beautiful than a map Daily Telegraph Garfield's genial prose twinkles with the delight of discovery -- Tom Hawker Wanderlust There couldn't be anyone better to write about our love of maps than Simon Garfield, who is a master at unearthing strange facts and mixing them with a lively personal narrative ... fascinating -- Giles Foden Conde Nast Traveller A stunning celebration of the cartographic. As one of the UK's leading contemporary polymaths, Garfield's always a joy to read for his gossamer-light show of rigorous learning, his shed-dweller precision in research and his infectious glee in passing on the golden nugget of fact. -- Robert Bound Monocle He takes us on a fascinating voyage ... and is a lively companion for the journey. -- Douglas Osler Scotsman He hops around the world, ancient and modern, with glee, dispensing information, both learned and chatty. On the Map is informative and entertaining, and good fun ... fascinating. -- John S Doyle Irish Times Beguiling ... Garfield is like the schoolteacher who made the time fly, a one-man Blue Peter team for intelligent adults, a great British explainer. -- Andrew Martin Observer Utterly charming and engrossing ... A thoroughly enjoyable guide to guides -- Sally Morris Daily Mail Simon Garfield has a gift for really making us think about things ... Wonderful -- William Leith Evening Standard Panoramic, erudite and enjoyable Independent