History of Cities in Maps

The collection of over sixty maps covers an impressive range of cities, from ancient metropolises like Babylon and Athens to modern urban centers like New York and Beijing. Each map is a window into a particular moment in a city's evolution, highlighting key events like the Great Fire of London or the fall of Berlin's wall. The vibrant artwork and historic details pull you in, and some of the maps are so complex and detailed that you’ll want to spend time examining every corner. The accompanying text is just as captivating as the visuals. Each chapter is dedicated to a different city, blending historical facts with fascinating insights into the military, industrial, and cultural forces that shaped these places. The book's underlying theme—“The history of mankind is the history of the city”—is a powerful concept that echoes throughout, showing how urban spaces have been the driving force behind civilization. What I loved most was how this book doesn’t just give a history lesson—it invites you to explore. Whether it's cities that have been lost to time or those that have been reborn, the narrative offers rich perspectives on how cities influence and reflect the human experience. This is a book to be savored. It’s perfect for history buffs, map enthusiasts, or anyone curious about the evolution of urban spaces. Whether you dip in to appreciate the beautiful illustrations or dive into the detailed historical accounts, History of Cities in Maps is a treasure trove of knowledge and art. Highly recommended!

Given as gift which recipient loved

Beautiful graphics, gift well received.

A great book showing a selection of cities from around the world from ancient times to the present in old maps. The maps are really beautiful to see with a brief outline of the history of the city. Overall I would give this book 5 stars out of 5.

Perfect gift for my brother who loves his history and his maps

I was eager to read this when I received it, but sadly ended with disappointment. I was expecting lush, detailed maps showing how a specific city changed over time, with facts and other insightful information. But instead, low resolution pictures with a few maps that have barely legible text. The additional information read like something taken from Wikipedia. It was a fascinating read, but poorly done. This is disappointing as it could have been a masterpiece.