The Library of Lost Maps

James Cheshire

$49.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Bloomsbury
01 February 2026

History; Historical maps & atlases

'A magnificent book that sings of the romance and mystery that only old maps possess' EDWARD BROOKE-HITCHING

'Astonishingly fresh and insightful ... A triumph' ALICE ROBERTS

The remarkable story of an overlooked map archive that reveals how maps have helped inspire some of the greatest scientific discoveries, but also led to terrible atrocities.

At the heart of University College London, nestled in the centre of Bloomsbury, lies a long-forgotten map library packed with thousands of maps and atlases. After Professor James Cheshire stumbled upon it, he spent three years sifting through hundreds of dusty drawers to see what was there. He was stunned to uncover some of the most significant maps and atlases from the last two centuries - many of which had not seen the light of day for decades.

In The Library of Lost Maps we discover atlases for the masses that expanded nineteenth-century horizons and maps that were wielded by those in power to wage war and negotiate peace; charts that trace the icy peaks of the Himalayas and the deepest depths of the ocean; and pioneering maps produced to settle borders in central Europe or the wealth of those in inner-city London. Maps have played a vital role in shaping our scientific knowledge of the world, showing the impact of climate change and inspiring the theory of plate tectonics. They have also guided politicians, encouraging both beneficial reforms and horrific conquests, the consequences of which we continue to live with today.

Brimming with astonishing discoveries, The Library of Lost Maps reveals why cartography really matters and how map-making has helped transform our understanding of the world around us.

By: James Cheshire
Imprint: Bloomsbury
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 244mm, Width: 178mm, Spine: 36mm
Weight: 1.205kg
ISBN: 9781526676610
ISBN 10: 1526676613
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 01 February 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

James Cheshire is Britain’s only Professor of Geographic Information and Cartography. A world-leading map maker, his cartographic creations have been enjoyed by millions. He is an elected fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and has been recognised with many prestigious awards from the likes of the Royal Geographical Society and the British Cartographic Society. His co-authored book Atlas of the Invisible won the American Association of Geographer’s Globe Award. When he is not making, writing about, or teaching with maps, James spends his time scouring eBay for them in the hope that one day he’ll have a map library of his own.

Reviews for The Library of Lost Maps

A magnificent book that sings of the romance and mystery that only old maps possess. Wandering The Library of Lost Maps, I didn't want to find my way back -- Edward Brooke-Hitching, author of THE PHANTOM ATLAS Digging into the dusty archives of an old map library at UCL, James Cheshire unearths stories of explorers and imagined landscapes, WWII intrigue, geopolitics and social change - in this astonishingly fresh and insightful perspective into history and biography. A triumph -- Professor Alice Roberts, broadcaster and author of CRYPT This exquisite volume from geographer Cheshire shares hidden treasures contained within the University College London’s Map Library…an enlightening and lovingly presented tribute to the necessity and wonder of libraries and archives * Publishers Weekly * Beautifully illustrated … The Library of Lost Maps collects and presents some of the great maps of the past for leisurely perusal -- Michael O'Donnell * Wall Street Journal * [A] handsomely illustrated study of mapmaking ... [Cheshire] is an infectious guide, tracing how maps evolved from hand-tinted curiosities to instruments of science, propaganda and power ... A concise and engrossing study of cartographers’ urge to make the world behave * Kirkus Reviews * From great discoveries to terrible atrocities, maps are responsible for more than you might think. This book, based on an overlooked archive of incredible maps, brings history and cartography together in a wonderful way * All About History *