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The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology Audiobook
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Publisher Description
From the author of the bestselling The Professor and the Madman comes the fascinating story of William Smith, the orphaned son of an English country blacksmith, who became obsessed with creating the world's first geological map and ultimately became the father of modern geology.
In 1793 William Smith, a canal digger, made a startling discovery that was to turn the fledgling science of the history of the earth -- and a central plank of established Christian religion -- on its head. He noticed that the rocks he was excavating were arranged in layers; more important, he could see quite clearly that the fossils found in one layer were very different from those found in another. And out of that realization came an epiphany: that by following the fossils, one could trace layers of rocks as they dipped and rose and fell -- clear across England and, indeed, clear across the world. Determined to publish his profoundly important discovery by creating a map that would display the hidden underside of England, he spent twenty years traveling the length and breadth of the kingdom by stagecoach and on foot, studying rock outcrops and fossils, piecing together the image of this unseen universe.
In 1815 he published his epochal and remarkably beautiful hand-painted map, more than eight feet tall and six feet wide. But four years after its triumphant publication, and with his young wife going steadily mad to the point of nymphomania, Smith ended up in debtors' prison, a victim of plagiarism, swindled out of his recognition and his profits. He left London for the north of England and remained homeless for ten long years as he searched for work. It wasn't until 1831, when his employer, a sympathetic nobleman, brought him into contact with the Geological Society of London -- which had earlier denied him a fellowship -- that at last this quiet genius was showered with the honors long overdue him. He was summoned south to receive the society's highest award, and King William IV offered him a lifetime pension.
The Map That Changed the World is, at its foundation, a very human tale of endurance and achievement, of one man's dedication in the face of ruin and homelessness. The world's coal and oil industry, its gold mining, its highway systems, and its railroad routes were all derived entirely from the creation of Smith's first map.; and with a keen eye and thoughtful detail, Simon Winchester unfolds the poignant sacrifice behind this world-changing discovery.
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"The man who pioneered the science of geology and developed the first geologic map of Europe died penniless. The wealthy and well connected men of his day lifted his ideas and passed them off as their own. They couldn't allow a commoner to outdo them. The same thing happened to the man who perfected the compass. (Longitude, by Dave Sobel). How often does this happen? The man with the great idea ends up in debtors prison, while a man with connections makes his family fortune."
— Kathy (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Winchester brings Smith's struggle to life in clear and beautiful language.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Winchester masterfully weaves a compelling history.”
— Newsday -
“Smith’s unsung life provides the perfect backdrop for yet another entertaining intellectual history.”
— Denver Post -
“Well-researched narrative.”
— Businessweek -
“With descriptive contemporary visitations to places significant to the story and well-chosen historical detail, he makes immediate not only the magnitude and elegance of Smith's accomplishment, but also the thrill of each of the moments of genius necessary to reach his ultimate conclusion. Smith's life provides a terrific plot to frame his contribution to science. Winchester's wonderful account does credit to it.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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One of the 2001 New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction
The Map That Changed the World Listener Reviews
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Richard Shibles, 12/24/2021
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" Had bought this book for my scientifc husband to read and I picked it up, it was great. "
— Jennifer, 2/19/2014 -
" More book than story. Liked the 2 others better. I'll continue to read Simon's books because they are very interesting. "
— Nancy, 2/18/2014 -
" Great! Fascinating! For me, a great read because it is a fascinating biography as well as a history of scientific beginnings. "
— Chris, 2/13/2014 -
" Leave it to Winchester to take a seemingly boring subject and give it life. "
— Mad_Maudie, 2/2/2014 -
" good for geologists to read "
— Allison, 1/9/2014 -
" A interesting story with lots of sidebar information. I still can not read a geological survey map though. I am glad that William Smith got the recognition he deserved but IMO he brought many of his problems down upon himself. "
— Ralph, 1/7/2014 -
" This has primed me to read 'Annals of the Former World.' "
— Meg, 12/9/2013 -
" The story about an earthbound man and his map that truly changed the world. I love maps, so this book was semi-inspirational. It kinda dragged, but I love that it's about maps. "
— Oswald, 11/25/2013 -
" A bit dry in many places but it seemed very thorough. If you are interested in history of science I highly recommend this. "
— Theresa, 11/19/2013 -
" Absolutely wonderful. Not for the scientist, but I'm not one. A nicely paced read, sympathetically wrought. "
— Ruth, 11/2/2013 -
" Brings geoloogy to life. However towards the end needed tighter editing. Nonetheless I would recommend it. "
— Granuaille, 10/5/2013 -
" Interesting story, but a slow read. 3 stars for subject and interest. 2 stars for dense, chewy prose. "
— Rebecca, 6/8/2013 -
" You can get the whole story of this book in the first few pages. After that is a very detailed history of early geology in England. While an overview of different types of stone is interesting, repeated, drawn out details are not. "
— Susan, 5/10/2013 -
" I remeber I could not put down this book. Simon Winchester's sympathetic story of William Smith's triumphs and trials was compelling reading. Fascinting infomation on the areas, and the geology, covered in Smith's making of his map ... which now hangs in .......... have to read it to find out! "
— Queenie, 5/7/2013 -
" Fascinating account of how a science began. As someone who loves traveling the "blue highways" -- frequently alone -- I loved reading about Smith and his wandering about discovering the underlying strata of England and Wales. "
— Cal, 4/7/2013 -
" A fascinating story of a man who against all odds created the cornerstone of geology. A visit to see the map Smith created at the Royal Geological.Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London. "
— Nigel, 2/10/2013 -
" I was a little disappointed with this book. The subject could have been presented in a more interesting manner and the author could have loudly confirmed up front that he was an atheist instead of making comments throughout the book that became redundant and tiresome. "
— Dad, 12/28/2012 -
" A great introduction to the birth of geology and a reminder that the men that founded our principles of science were human, too. They lived lives, had vices and, unfortunately for William Smith, went to prison just like people of today. Academia also remains the same: people cheat and steal ideas. "
— Joel, 8/11/2012 -
" This is the Winchester book that started it all for me. I've picked up most if not all Winchester books since and the Professor is my favorite. "
— brian, 2/21/2012 -
" excellent book about the start of geological science "
— Amy, 10/11/2011 -
" Simon Winchester's done it again. "
— Ty, 9/16/2011 -
" While I thoroughly enjoyed Simon Winchester's previous book, The Professor and the the Madman, this book did not hold my attention. Perhaps I found too difficult to read. Who knows but me. "
— Conrad, 8/9/2011 -
" Not quite my cup of tea. So the level of historic details was a bit overwhelming for me. I really enjoyed Winchester's other books, and this was quite similar -- I'd really recommend this if you are geologist. "
— Matt, 7/17/2011 -
" Another Winchester masterpiece. Made me want to go out and start digging in the yard. <br/>Didja ever wonder where the name "Poundstone" came from? Read this book (hint: it has nothing to do with "pounding" stone). "
— Horton, 5/8/2011 -
" More book than story. Liked the 2 others better. I'll continue to read Simon's books because they are very interesting. "
— Nancy, 3/12/2011 -
" Winchester is a wonder writer. He gives you just enough background to appreciate the subject of the book, but doesn't overwhelm you with details. He also manages to create a sense of anticipation - you can't wait to find out what happens next. "
— C, 2/12/2011 -
" A bit of a slog (not as good as "The Professor & the Madman"). I think it was a slim story that he tried to plump up. Still, I was interested in learning a little more about the establishment of geology. "
— Curlybookworm, 1/5/2011 -
" An interesting review of one man's contribution to understanding the world. Unfortunately the author drops in some parallel story in the middle which really distracts from the focus of the story. "
— Greg, 1/2/2011 -
" I am in the midst of this book. Started it yesterday and am over two-thirds of the way through. It reminds me of Latitude, it is a book about a common man of uncommon talent and determination struggling to make his dream a reality and in the process changing the world in which we live. "
— Nora, 12/7/2010 -
" Interesting historical facts but a little dry. "
— Jessica, 12/6/2010 -
" Leave it to Winchester to take a seemingly boring subject and give it life. "
— Lesa, 11/24/2010
About Simon Winchester
Simon Winchester is the acclaimed author of many books, including The Professor and the Madman, The Men Who United the States, The Map That Changed the World, The Man Who Loved China, A Crack in the Edge of the World, and Krakatoa, all of which were New York Times bestsellers and appeared on numerous best books of the year lists. In 2006, he was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen.