The Book Depository British Museum: A History of the World in 25 Cities by Tracey Turner
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Price: £16.99
Brand: The Book Depository
Description: British Museum: A History of the World in 25 Cities : Hardback : Nosy Crow Ltd : 9781788006712 : 1788006712 : 02 Sep 2021 : A stunningly illustrated big book of maps, exploring how people have shaped cities. and how cities have shaped history. The Book Depository British Museum: A History of the World in 25 Cities by Tracey Turner - shop the best deal online on thebookbug.co.uk
Category: Books
Merchant: The Book Depository
Product ID: 9781788006712
MPN: 1788006712
GTIN: 9781788006712
Author: Jessie R.
Rating: 5
Review: Good quality, lovely book
Author: J. Lloyd
Rating: 4
Review: This large-format educational volume stretches the term 'map' somewhat, but does achieve what it sets out to do. All the twenty-five cities featured get two double-page spreads, the first with what is more or less a representational image, as opposed to a properly laid-out map, and the second to cover more details about life in those places, and some statistics. In chronological order, we move from Jericho (some walls, with some nondescript buildings inside), to Memphis (a couple of temple districts and some workers), Athens (the Parthenon and a few other bits), and so on. By Athens and Rome the maps are very heavily annotated with captions all over the place, conveying in well-judged manner the specifics of the place – the contents of one building, for example – or a type of building in general – the nightmares of a Roman communal loo, perhaps. The second spread always tries to cover childhood life in these cities, to connect with the target reader, and give some geographical data, as well as trivia where needed, such as the tonnage of marble used for the Parthenon. These pages are as you'd expect suitably illustrated, and the text never feels burdensome to the young geographer – or historian, for of course both humanities are served here. I think the perfect version of this book would have had more variety in the artistic style – the ancient cities not looking too different in their presentation from the megacities of today, and I would have preferred more information about what the tourist or archaeologist would see of the place now. What, for instance, is evident about the circular structure of ancient Baghdad when you join the seven million people currently there? But just because I could see this project being done differently doesn't mean it has been done badly. Nods to sustainable development in the cities of tomorrow, a glossary and index, and we've have a rounded, diverse look round our urbanised planet.
