Reviews
The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology by Simon Winchester
allielippe's review against another edition
Dry, dense, and far too many unnecessary details. That author really overused his dictionary and thesaurus
lakecake's review against another edition
3.0
This story was just "eh" for me. It's a necessarily cursory look at William Smith's life--necessary because there isn't really a lot known about certain parts of his life, and also because it was meant to be a short book. Maybe it would have been better if we had had more of a look at him, but most of the time I was thinking, "OK, but so what?" So he made this map...and it was the first of its kind...so what? It never really gains a sense of urgency. This is a rare misfire from Winchester.
mcparks's review against another edition
3.0
Great story, terrible writing. I want to love this because I am a geologist but just can never get into it.
yetilibrary's review against another edition
1.0
I feel bad giving this just one star but this book was outright sedating. I had SO MUCH TROUBLE staying awake while reading it. I kept switching to other books I had in my queue for February but eventually I ran out and had to focus on this one and oh my word I just could not stay focused.
I wonder if I would have enjoyed this more if I were a geologist. I also wonder if I would've enjoyed it more if about 50% of the book--all the digressions, the fluff, the DID YOU KNOW THE BACKSTORY OF THIS INCREDIBLY MINOR PLAYER? sidebars--was removed. Perhaps other readers find it charming and whimsical, but I just found it frustrating and dull. This is about William Smith and his awesome map(s), I want to learn about THAT! I want to learn about geology! I don't care about the time you found a neat-looking rock!
Also, the author clearly has an "I HEART WILLIAM SMITH" bumper sticker on his car and every surface in his home. The constant fawning over OMG MY HERO! gets a little old. Yes, he's fantastic, I get it, can you settle down?
Final complaint: I would have liked more maps and diagrams. Maybe it's because I'm a huge nerd; maybe it's because I like to visualize things. But when so much discussion is of rock layers and the fossils contained therein, a couple of diagrams (one of which languishes AT THE END, and neither of which is referred to in the text) do not suffice. Charts showing the reader what Smith is finding, at least once per chapter, would help us see what he sees and follow Smith's train of thought. For a book about MAPS it's frustratingly short of visual aids.
In conclusion: a swing and a miss. Blargh.
I wonder if I would have enjoyed this more if I were a geologist. I also wonder if I would've enjoyed it more if about 50% of the book--all the digressions, the fluff, the DID YOU KNOW THE BACKSTORY OF THIS INCREDIBLY MINOR PLAYER? sidebars--was removed. Perhaps other readers find it charming and whimsical, but I just found it frustrating and dull. This is about William Smith and his awesome map(s), I want to learn about THAT! I want to learn about geology! I don't care about the time you found a neat-looking rock!
Also, the author clearly has an "I HEART WILLIAM SMITH" bumper sticker on his car and every surface in his home. The constant fawning over OMG MY HERO! gets a little old. Yes, he's fantastic, I get it, can you settle down?
Final complaint: I would have liked more maps and diagrams. Maybe it's because I'm a huge nerd; maybe it's because I like to visualize things. But when so much discussion is of rock layers and the fossils contained therein, a couple of diagrams (one of which languishes AT THE END, and neither of which is referred to in the text) do not suffice. Charts showing the reader what Smith is finding, at least once per chapter, would help us see what he sees and follow Smith's train of thought. For a book about MAPS it's frustratingly short of visual aids.
In conclusion: a swing and a miss. Blargh.
jdhobbes's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
A pretty good read on both early geology and class distinctions in England. I've read (and own), another book by Simon Winchester and he will definitely go on my reading list. Probably would have liked this one more if I had liked geology more. 4 of 5.
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read (listen) by Winchester.
I am not terribly interested in geology but still the book was captivating at times.
This is Winchester at his finest, not much overlap with other texts if at all.
Great little side anecdotes (e.g. Uxbridge - any more would be a spoiler).
I am not terribly interested in geology but still the book was captivating at times.
This is Winchester at his finest, not much overlap with other texts if at all.
Great little side anecdotes (e.g. Uxbridge - any more would be a spoiler).