British Museum: A History of the World in 25 Cities

Prepare to be enchanted in this stunningly illustrated exploration of cities that have shaped the course of human history.

This wonderful book unveils uniquely illustrated city maps from around the world. The journey spans ancient history to the present day, guiding readers on a mesmerizing tour through time and place, from the Dawn of Time to the Modern Metropolis.

With these maps, you’ll traverse the walled city of Jericho, a marvel built over 10,000 years ago, or venture into the bustling metropolis of modern-day Tokyo, the world’s most densely populated city.

An Artistic Masterpiece

The vibrant and meticulously detailed artwork by Libby VanderPloeg transports readers to pivotal moments in each city’s history. Walk the streets of Athens during the birth of democracy or explore the beautifully lamplit lanes of medieval Benin nestled deep within the West African rainforest. Uncover the mysteries of Xianyang, China’s long-lost capital, a city for which no original map exists, meticulously recreated with the support of the British Museum’s team of experts.

A Gift of Exploration and Discovery

After each map, delve into two gorgeously illustrated pages brimming with intriguing details about life in each city at the time. Gain insight into each city’s history through numerical snapshots, making this a treasure trove of facts for curious readers to return to again and again.

This book is the ideal gift for children eager to explore the rich tapestry of world history and the cities that have played pivotal roles. From the ancient realms of Jericho to the modern metropolis of Tokyo, and a glimpse into the Cities of Today and Cities of Tomorrow, this journey through time is a captivating adventure for curious minds.

From the Publisher

Constantinople – 500 CE

Originally called Byzantium, the city was renamed Constantinople in 330 CE to honour Emperor Constantine, who made the city the new capital of Eastern Roman Empire. Constantinople became one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the world, shining with gold, bronze and polished marble. Now called Istanbul, it’s the modern Republic of Turkey’s largest city, where you can still see the Hagia Sophia, the Column of Constantine and many other remains of its Byzantine past.

Memphis – around 1200 BCE

Founded as the new capital when Upper and Lower Egypt became one, Memphis remained the largest and most important city in Egypt for 3,000 years. Originally known as Inbu-Hedj or ‘White Walls’, because its painted mud brick palace shone brightly across the desert, Memphis was a city of workshops and warehouses and was said to be under the protection of the god Ptah, the patron of craftsmen. The city of Memphis no longer exists today. Much of its remains lie hidden beneath several small modern villages that have sprung up where the mighty trading city once stood.

New York City – 1931

Almost a century ago, New York City was busy getting taller. Business was booming and so was the population: every year, tens of thousands of people arrived from all over the world in search of a better life. Space was limited, so people started to build upwards instead of outwards. The incredible skyscrapers of New York changed the way that cities would be built forever.

Xianyang – 212 BCE

Ancient China was made up of independent states that were often at war with each other, until Qin Shi Huangdi united China into one country for the first time in 221 BCE. He became China’s first emperor and made the city of Xianyang his magnificent capital. The Qin dynasty only lasted 15 years. The Han dynasty took over, burned down Xianyang and moved their capital to Chang’an. Both cities are now part of the wider area of the modern Chinese city of Xi’an.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nosy Crow Ltd (2 Sept. 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 112 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1788006712
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1788006712
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 – 12 years
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 25.6 x 1.5 x 30 cm