It is perhaps the eighth wonder of our world that despite modern mapping & satellite photography our planet continues to surprise us. Hidden lairs beneath layers of rock, forgotten cities rising out of deserted lands & even mankind`s own feats of engineering eccentricity lie in the most unusual of destinations. Travis Elborough goes in search of the obscure & bizarre, the beautiful & estranged. Taking in the defiant relics of ancient cities such as Ani, a once thriving metropolis lost to conquered lands, & the church tower of San Juan Parangaricuto, that miraculously stands as the sole survivor of a town sunk by lava. Through the labyrinths of Berlin & Beijing
- underground realms dug for refuge, espionage & even, as Canada`s Moose Jaw, used as the playground for gangsters trading liquor & money over cards. Never forgetting the freaks & wonders of nature`s own unusual masterpieces: the magical underground river shaped like a dragon`s mouth in the Philippines & the floating world of Palmerston. With beautiful maps & stunning photography illustrating each destination, Atlas of Improbable Places is a fascinating voyage to the world`s most incredible destinations. As the Island of Dolls & the hauntingly titled Door to Hell
- an inextinguishable fire pit
- attest, mystery is never far away. The truths & myths behind their creation are as varied as the destinations themselves. Standing as symbols of worship, testaments to kingships or even the strange & wonderful traditions of old & new, these curious places are not just extraordinary sights but reflections on man`s own relationship with the world around us.


...

It is perhaps the eighth wonder of our world that despite modern mapping & satellite photography our planet continues to surprise us. Travis Elborough goes in search of the obscure & bizarre, the beautiful & estranged. From the church tower of San Juan Parangaricutiro
- that miraculously stands as the sole survivor of a town sunk by lava
- to the underground realms of Berlin & Beijing dug for refuge & espionage, these maps reveal incredible stories of hidden lairs, forgotten cities & improbable wonders. With beautiful maps & stunning photography, Atlas of Improbable Places is a fascinating voyage to the world`s most unusual destinations. These curious locations are not just extraordinary sights, but reflections on our own relationship with the world around us.

...

Atlas of Indian Nations is a comprehensive resource for those interested in Native American history & culture. Told through maps, photos, art, & archival cartography, this is the story of American Indians that only National Geographic can tell. In the most comprehensive atlas of Native American history & culture available, the story of the North American Indian is told through maps, photos, art, & archival cartography. This illustrated atlas is perfect for fans of Empire of the Summer Moon, Blood & Thunder, & National Geographic atlases, as well as those fascinated with the Old West. Organised by region, this encyclopaedic reference details Indian tribes in these areas: beliefs, sustenance, shelter, alliances & animosities, key historical events, & more. See the linguistic groupings & understand the constantly shifting, overlapping boundaries of the tribes. Follow the movement, growth, decline, & continuity of Indian nations & their lifestyles. ...

The history of Ireland & its people is one of incredible richness & variety. Combining over 100 beautifully crafted maps, charts & graphs with a narrative packed with facts & information, An Atlas of Irish History provides coverage of the main political, military, economic, religious & social changes that have occurred in Ireland & among the Irish abroad over the past two millennia. Ruth Dudley Edwards uses the combination of thematic narrative & visual aids to examine & illustrate issues such as: the Viking invasions of Ireland the Irish in Britain pre- & post-famine agriculture population change twentieth-century political affiliations. This third edition has been comprehensively revised & updated to include coverage of the many changes that have occurred in Ireland & among its people overseas. Taking into consideration the main issues that have developed since 1981, & adding a number of new maps & graphs, this new edition also

Includes:: an informative & detailed section on the troubles that have been a feature of Irish life since 1969.

...

` An unusual & compelling insight into Jewish history...sheer detail & breadth of scale` BBC History Magazine This newly revised & updated edition of Martin Gilbert`s Atlas of Jewish History spans over four thousand years of history in 154 maps, presenting a vivid picture of a fascinating people & the trials & tribulations which have haunted their story. The themes covered include: Prejudice & Violence- from the destruction of Jewish independence between 722 & 586 BC to the flight from German persecution in the 1930s. Also covers the incidence of anti-semitic attacks in the Americas & Europe. Migrations & Movements- from the entry into the promised land to Jewish migration in the twenty- first century, including new maps on recent emigration to Israel from Europe & worldwide. Society, Trade & Culture- from Jewish trade routes between 800 & 900 to the situation of world Jewry in the opening years of the twenty- first century. Politics, Government & War- from the Court Jews of the fifteenth century to the founding & growth of the modern State of Israel. This new edition is also updated to include maps showing Jewish museums in the United States & Canada, & Europe, as well as American conservation efforts abroad. Other topics covered in this revised edition include Jewish educational outreach projects in various parts of the world, & Jews living under Muslim rule. Forty years on from its first publication, this book is still an indispensible guide to Jewish history. ...

Christopher Daniell`s ” Atlas of Medieval Britain” is a historical atlas illustrating the changing face of the British Isles in Medieval times. Annotated throughout with clear commentary, this volume tells the story of the British Isles, & makes visually accessible the varied & often complex world of the Middle Ages. The atlas depicts the spatial distribution of key events & buildings between 1066 & 1485, as well as providing the relevant Anglo-Saxon background. Charting the main political, administrative & religious features of medieval society, the maps also locate cultural landmarks such as the sites of Mystery Plays, universities & specific architectural styles. The topics covered in the atlas include: Iron Age & Roman occupation; Anglo-Saxons & Vikings; changing political scenarios within Engl&, Scotl&, Wales & Ireland; Religious framework, including diocesan boundaries, monasteries & friaries; government, society & economy. ...

With over 180 maps, expert commentaries & an extensive bibliography, this second edition of an essential reference guide to medieval Europe brings the complex & colourful history of the Middle Ages to life. The ” Atlas of Medieval Europe” covers the period from the fall of the Roman Empire through to the beginnings of the Renaissance, spreading from the Atlantic coast to the Russian steppes. Each map approaches a separate issue or series of events in medieval history, & a commentary locates it in its broader context. This second edition has over forty new maps covering a variety of topics including: the Moravian Empire; environmental change; the travels & correspondence of Froissart & travellers in the east; the layout of great castles & palaces; & thorough coverage is also given to geographically peripheral areas like Portugal, Pol&, Scandinavia & Irel&. Providing a vivid representation of the development of nations, peoples & social structures, & charting political & military events, the ” Atlas” takes a detailed look at a variety of key areas including language & literature; the development of trade, art & architecture; & the great cities & lives of historical figures. Every student of medieval European history should own a copy of this book. ...

Shortlisted for a 2016 Edward Standford Travel Writing Award. This beautiful atlas is a celebration of the unusual events, objects & people that make our world such a fascinating place. Living on the planet are more than 7 billion people, all with their own interests, traditions & ways of life. & the extraordinary scenery
- from the icy poles to scorching hot deserts, lush tropical rainforests, giant rocky caves & canyons, remarkable rivers, lakes & seas, also provides a home to a phenomenally wide range of different animals & plants. This unbelievable round-the-world adventure will take you through all of the planet`s continents & countries, & on the way you`ll get to see just how diverse the world can be. The beautifully illustrated maps feature key aspects, such as borders, capital cities & major rivers, & are perfect for engaging young readers. Discover facts & stats about the country or region & get up close & personal with some of Earth`s most mysterious & unusual creatures, places, objects & events in this beautiful world atlas for children & adults alike. Are you ready to see our amazing world in a whole new light? Atlas of Oddities is an absorbing, gift atlas that will delight young & old fans of Maps & Atlas of Adventures. Great for young explorers aged 7 & up.
...

An Atlas of Radical Cartography is a box-set collection of ten maps & ten essays concerned with social issues. The title is inherently political product & its contributors make no qualms about wearing their beliefs & allegiances on their sleeves. The aim of An Atlas of Radical Cartography is to provide a critical foundation for an area of work that bridges art & design, cartography, geography & activism, provoking responses & understandings of power & its representations, & its effects on people & places. ...

A guide to some of the rarest birds in existence, brought together by the maps showing where in the world you can find them. The guide focusses on 50 captivating stories of the very rare, including remarkable discoveries of species new to science, rediscoveries of species not seen for centuries & 'back from the brink of extinction' successes like Seychelles Magpie-Robin & California Condor. Each species has its own mini-chapter & the book will be broken down into key groups of species, with the five most amazing tales of island endemics, five most bizarre cases of a bird becoming threatened, & so on. This will be an accessible, readable & visually appealing take on a serious subject of threatened birds & possible extinctions
- a topic that is constantly in the news due to increasing concerns over climate change & habitat destruction. The atlas format shows the global nature of the problem & brings together the many strands of the concerted bird conservation effort that is taking place on every continent. It also lends & element of accessibility to the reader as many of the species featured can be watched on birding tours these days.
...