‘Anybody who loves the printed word will be bowled over by this amusing, erudite, beautiful book about books. It is in every way a triumph. a treat of the eyes; a tonic for the soul; a treasure chest of obscure, marvellous, and often hilarious information. Rarely has bibliographic scholarship been presented with such humour and such style. One of the loveliest books to have been published for many, many years. Reader beware: you will lose yourself in delight.’ Alexander McCall Smith
‘The trouble with this book, which is an absolute masterpiece, is that ‘masterpiece’ is the only word that can be used to describe this masterpiece. I mean, MASTERPIECE. It’s a masterpiece.’ Jason Hazeley, The Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups
‘A wonderful celebration of the strange and arcane, with surprises and delights on every page. Great material deftly handled, and a beautiful production.’ Stuart Kells, The Library: A Catalogue of Curiosities
‘Booklovers, get your Christmas hints in now. The Madman’s Library is so gorgeous I don’t know whether to read it, photograph it or lick it’ Jane Graham (Big Issue)
‘Delightful, disturbing, and at times, delightfully disturbing. The perfect book for bibliophiles the world over.’ Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris, The Butchering Art
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Available HERE
‘A bonkers book…Highly recommended’ Andrew Marr
‘A spectacular, enjoyable and eye-opening read… A wonderful book, with beautiful illustrations throughout’ Jonathan Ross
‘A fantastic book’ Stephen Fry
‘Beautifully illustrated…brain-boggling…an excursion into the minds of men imagining an as yet uncharted world’ Spectator
‘Excellent…beautifully produced…Well researched, crisply written and lavishly illustrated…Beguiling.’ Times Literary Supplement
‘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
‘Extraordinary’ Historia Magazine
‘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
‘Unreservedly recommended’ Monocle
‘An incredible journey’ Wiener Zeitung
‘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
‘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
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Available HERE
As featured on the BBC Radio 4 show Museum of Curiosity
Shortlisted for Illustrated Travel Book of the Year, Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards 2020
‘A beautiful new book. There are endless, brilliant, unforgettable stories in the Sky Atlas. So poetic… full of maps and illustrations.’ — Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 Music
‘An incredible collection of cosmic maps, paintings and artefacts charting how we have imagined the heavens throughout history.’ Big Issue
‘A beautiful, beautiful book. The drawings, paintings, maps – just exquisite. So rich with wonderful stories.’ Georgina Godwin, Monocle
‘This beautifully illustrated volume spans the history of astronomy and celestial cartography…Brooke-Hitching does a superb job of making this complex scientific subject accessible and exciting for readers. The art, astral maps, and photographs, many in lush, jewel-like colors, make this book shine. Readers will want to drink in every fine detail.’ Booklist
‘Following on from his stunning books The Phantom Atlas and The Golden Atlas, Mr. Brooke-Hitching’s latest work matches them with equally sumptuous illustrations and scholarship.’ Diplomat
‘One for the curio lover in your life. An illustrated treasury of celestial cartography featuring the greatest astronomical discoveries alongside stories about ancient UFO sightings, winged lunar creatures, a sea above the clouds and an Edwardian aristocrat who mapped alien life on Mars.’ Herald
‘So beautiful. How we thought of other planets, aliens, mythology… Particularly recommended.’ Jen Campbell, author of The Bookshop Book
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Available HERE
Shortlisted for Illustrated Travel Book of the Year, Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards 2019
‘Stunning. A divine book.’ Stephen Fry
‘A fabulous book, good enough to eat with a spoon. Marvellous.’ John Lloyd, creator of BBC’s QI
‘Perfect for the armchair adventurer historian, this is a rich visual exploration of some of the most beautiful charts ever created’ National Geographic
‘A sumptuous new book on the quest to find out where we are, where we’re going and where be dragons.’ Big Issue
‘This beautiful book takes 37 great expeditions…accompanied with rare maps of the time, which…illustrate the exploratory urge, or “the extraordinary stories of how the world came to be known”. As the author writes, “Maps are alive with stories.” And this adventuresome volume is too.’ Strong Words
‘A big hit – A history of exploration and cartography chronicled with rare maps’ The i
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Available HERE
‘An entertaining new book… which looks back at the most bizarre sporting activities ever devised by mankind.’ Daily Mail
‘A lively trawl through long-forgotten sports and games from around the globe.’ The Economist
‘Perfect book for the Christmas stockings of adults and curious children.’ Wall Street Journal
‘An engaging book on sports that have fallen out of favour’ Tatler
‘A strange and strangely enjoyable new book. . . This inventory of failed sports is both compelling and affectionate, fitting for a book in which “eccentricity” is not just included but celebrated.’ The Boston Globe
‘A droll romp through the history of bizarre games and other pastimes.’ Library Journal
‘An entertaining look at the way things were.’ Washington Post
‘[An] intriguing, go-to guide on the weird and wonderful activities of years gone by’ Irish Examiner