Map Books – Stanfords Blog

Author Event: Drink Maps in Victorian Britain by Kris Butler

“This is the story of drink maps, and it’s probably not what you think”

Last week we were joined by Kris Butler for a fascinating exploration of the history of alcohol in Victorian Britain via the ‘drink maps’ that were produced by the temperance movement to promote sobriety.

It’s not about pub crawls or plotted ale trails. Instead, these are maps with an agenda that was adamantly hostile to drinking alcohol, made by an organized faction known as the Temperance Movement. The logic at the time of the maps’ creation went as follows: if people are shown how many places there are to buy alcohol, they will be so appalled that they will join the effort to end drinking. In hindsight this logic is obviously flawed.’

Drink Maps in Victorian Britain explores how drink maps of cities were published to fight increasingly rampant alcohol consumption, from Liverpool,Manchester and Sheffield to Oxford, London, and Norwich.

Book Launch: A History of the World in 47 Borders by Jonn Elledge

Last night we hosted the launch of a very “Stanfords’ book; A History of the World in 47 Borders: The Stories Behind the Lines on Our Maps by Jonn Elledge.

Brilliant Maps

Maps that help put the last 12 months in some context

-by Ian Wright

I’m honoured that Brilliant Maps An Atlas for Curious Minds has been selected for Stanfords December book of the month. I really enjoyed writing it and hope you’ll enjoy reading it just as much.

Since December is the last month of the year, I thought I’d choose a few maps that help put the last 12 months in some context. And given Christmas is coming I can’t resist including a couple of Christmas themed maps too.

Philip Parker: History of Maps in Britain: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020

From Mappa Mundi to modern election maps, the United Kingdom has evolved rapidly, along with the ways in which it has been mapped. During this time, cartography has not only kept pace with these changes, but has often driven them. In his beautiful book, Philip Parker talks to Julia Wheeler about some of these maps that give a visual representation of the history of Britain.

History of Britain in Mapsby Philip Parker

Five examples of how the map of London isn’t always as it first appears

Artist and cartographer Adam Dant surveys London’s past, present and future with his beautiful, witty and subversive cartographic pieces. His astonishing maps offer a compelling view of history, lore, language and life in the capital and beyond.

To celebrate the launch of ‘Maps of London & Beyond’ we asked Adam Dant to give us Five examples of how the map of London isn’t always as it first appears. Continue reading Five examples of how the map of London isn’t always as it first appears

The Art of Cartographics: Designing the Modern Map

We’ve seen so many different types of cartography in our time. From the archive replicas in our map room to illustrated maps by new artists. It’s so interesting to see how it is evolving as an art and how different people interpret maps differently. The Art of Cartographics is a collection of maps that showcases the most creative and interesting design projects from around the world. It features geographical maps, fictional maps and fresh and innovative approaches to cultural, economic and political maps. Here is a glimpse of what’s inside: Continue reading The Art of Cartographics: Designing the Modern Map