Mapmatics

An expansive journey through time and place to reveal how the human experience has been – and continues to be – intrinsically linked to the maps we use to navigate our way through the world…a comprehensive work. – Hannah Beckerman * The Guardian *The historic meeting of geography and imagination sets the tone for the book, which moves briskly through time and space. – Anna Aslanyan * Times Literary Supplement *An engaging look at a fascinating subject…Rowińska clearly has a deep knowledge, both of maps and the mathematics behind them. – Sarah Hart * New Scientist *Engaging and original. – Andrew Robinson * Nature *A friendly and accessible introduction to the science that draws how we view our world. – Nikolas Mavreas * Open Letters Review *What a delightful book! On the surface (no pun intended), this book looks like a fun exploration of problems that arise as we create, navigate, or otherwise interact with maps. Along the way, we encounter many curious characters and learn a surprising amount about history and psychology. But at the end of our journey, as we follow the twists and turns of Paulina Rowińska’s marvelous and often humorous prose, without the use of any formulas, we come away with an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics. Highly recommended! – Arthur Benjamin, author of The Magic of MathA wonderfully readable adventure through the mathematical poetry of mapping. Paulina Rowińska has created something really special, a book that celebrates the science and ideas behind the cartographic art with tales of everything fascinating, from criminal geography to ancient earthquake detectors. An essential guide that illuminates how much of our understanding of the world, the past, and indeed the people around us is shaped by the mathematician and the mapmaker. – Edward Brooke-Hitching, author of The Phantom AtlasThis book blew my mind, again and again. Paulina Rowińska covers an astonishing range of topics, from our brain to our planet, with personal stories and, yes, math, but she also scrutinizes the social and political impacts of maps on our lives. – Roma Agrawal, author of Nuts and BoltsI love maps. I love math. And gosh, do I love this book, which so beautifully and clearly sounds the depths of both. – Ben Orlin, author of Math with Bad DrawingsA highly readable account of how mathematics and mapmaking have joined forces to inform not only our view of the world, but our view of ourselves. The historical insights and human stories bring the whole topic vividly to life. – Ian Stewart, author of What’s the Use?Paulina Rowińska spins a fascinating story about the development of maps and mathematics. It’s no exaggeration to say I learned something new on almost every page. – Kit Yates, author of The Math of Life and DeathGuides you elegantly, like a beautifully drawn map, through the fascinating stories behind centuries of mapmaking … Highly entertaining. – Tim James, author of FundamentalA delightful journey into the mathematics of maps, globes, and world travel. Paulina Rowińska has a beautiful writing style and a wealth of important knowledge—she will keep you engaged on every page. – Jo Boaler, author of Limitless MindWhat an incredible book! I was completely blown away by the sheer depth and profound impact maps have on how we humans see things, find things, make decisions, and even play politics. Paulina Rowińska’s storytelling is pure magic, effortlessly bringing to life the history, science, and mind-bending mathematics behind it all. This book is an absolute gem! – James Tanton, Cofounder of the Global Math ProjectOpens our eyes to the use of ‘mapmaking’ in the broadest sense … If you have ever wondered why an airliner bound from London to Los Angeles flies over Greenland, how we know what lies inside the Earth, or how computers correct errors, then this is for you. I learned a lot. – John Gribbin, author of Six Impossible ThingsBlends broad subject expertise, magical storytelling skills, and a splash of humor to ensure that the reader can joyfully navigate the mathematics of mapmaking. – Bobby Seagull, author of The Life-Changing Magic of NumbersTackles the connections between mathematics and maps with aplomb … Engaging, thought-provoking, and perfectly encapsulates much of the essence of mapmaking. – Kenneth Field, author of Cartography

Paulina Rowińska is a science writer with a PhD in mathematics. Her 2017 TEDx talk “Let’s Have a Maths Party!” explained that mathematics is all around us. The recipient of the Imperial College President’s Award for Excellence in Societal Engagement, she previously created interactive content for an educational website.