This beautiful book offers a richly illustrated look at the most important atlases in history and the cartographers who created them. Atlases are books that changed the course of history. They were used by rulers, explorers, and adventurers to build empires, conduct wars, encourage diplomacy, and promote trade. Written by Philip Parker, an expert in the history of maps, this book brings these fascinating objects to life, providing a unique, richly illustrated guide to the history of these amazing books and the cartographers behind them.

All major cartographic works of the past half millennium are covered, including Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, considered the first atlas of the world and produced in 1570 by Dutch geographer Abraham Ortelius. The 17th-century Klencke – one of the largest books in the world that requires 6 people to carry it. The 1881 Rand McNally Atlas, which is still published today and a book that turned its creators, William H. Rand and Andrew McNally, into cartography kings.

This beautiful book will enchant readers with its detailed, visually stunning illustrations and the fascinating story of how mapping has developed throughout human history.