The Four Points of the Compass

Jerry Brotton

'The Four Points of the Compass' takes the reader on a journey of directional discovery. Jerry Brotton reveals why Hebrew culture privileges east; why the Renaissance Europeans began drawing north at the top of their maps; why the imperial Chinese revered the south; why the Aztecs used five colour-coded cardinal directions; and why no societies, primitive or modern, have ever orientated themselves westwards, the direction of darkness. He ends by reflecting on our digital age in which we, the little blue dot on the screen, have become the most important compass point. Throughout, Brotton shows that the directions reflect a human desire to create order and that they only have meaning, literally and metaphorically, depending on where you stand.

Author(s): Brotton, Jerry
Binding: Paperback
Date of Publication: 04/09/2025
Pagination: 208 pages
Series: N/A
Imprint: Penguin Books
Published By: Penguin Books
Book Classification: Historical geography|Social & cultural history|Maritime history|Navigation & seamanship|General & world history|Geographical discovery & exploration|Cartography, map-making & projections
Dimensions: 198x130x14
Weight: 183
ISBN13\EAN\SKU: 9780141999562