The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps - Hardcover

The son of an antiquarian book dealer, Edward Brooke-Hitching became an award-winning documentary director making films that examine the eccentric side of British life. He lives in London.

'The Phantom Atlas describes some 50 "myths, lies and blunders" and illustrates them in delightful detail...deserve[s] a place on the coffee table, but only after it's been read: there is as much to absorb as to see.' -- John Ure * Country Life * 'Fascinating ... and beautifully illustrated' -- Rosamund Urwin * Evening Standard * `Exquisitely produced... Gorgeous illustrations of countries and islands that were once thought to exist...For any fans of maps this is a must' * The Australian * `The fascination and beauty of maps both emerge clearly in this well-written, witty and thoughtful book...this is a spirited and enjoyable study' * Standpoint * `One of the most beautiful books I've ever seen in my life...full of fascinating quirky things.' -- Jen Campbell, author Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops `A rich selection... [that] shows how lively minds made use of limited knowledge, but also how rumour, guesswork and downright lies can persist in the scholarly imagination.' * The Economist * `From the magnetic mountain at the north pole to Australia's inland sea, Edward Brooke-Hitching charts five centuries of misrepresentative maps.' * The Guardian * `Unreservedly recommended' * The Monocle * `Excellent... Arranged alphabetically in fifty-eight short chapters, with lavish deployment of illustrations, the book provides a captivating chronicle of our battle with ignorance' * Literary Review * `Extraordinary' * Historia Magazine * `Beautiful... Brooke-Hitching [has] an eye for a good story and his book is gloriously illustrated with ancient mistaken maps, each accompanied by a thoroughly researched tale of the men whose errors led to them.' * Daily Express * `This intriguing book...shows how places that aren't there can endure, sometimes for centuries, once a map-maker has inked them in' * The Times * `Beautifully illustrated...brain-boggling...an excursion into the minds of men imagining an as yet uncharted world' * Spectator * `A spectacular, enjoyable and eye-opening read... A wonderful book, with beautiful illustrations throughout' -- Jonathan Ross `A bonkers book...Highly recommended' -- Andrew Marr