Skip to content
A Brief History of the World in 47 Borders: Surprising Stories Behind the Lines on Our Maps

A Brief History of the World in 47 Borders: Surprising Stories Behind the Lines on Our Maps

Elledge, Jonn

Hardcover

Regular price $24.95 Sale price $18.71 Save 25%

Many lines on the map are worth far more than a thousand words, going well beyond merely marking divisions between nations. In this eye-opening investigation into the most remarkable points on the map, a single boundary might, upon closer inspection, reveal eons of history--from epic tales of conquest, treaties, and alliances to intimate, all-too-human stories of love, greed, and folly. Sometimes rooted in physical geography, sometimes entirely arbitrary, none of the lines we know today were inevitable, and all might have looked quite different if not for the intricate interplay of chance and ambition.

By listening to the stories these borders have to tell, we can learn how political identities are shaped, why the world's boundaries look the way they do--and what they tell us about our world and ourselves. From the very first maps in Egypt to the Roman attempts to define the boundaries of civilization, from the profound shift in meaning of the Mason-Dixon line to the secret British-French agreement to carve up the Ottoman Empire during the First World War, and from the dark consequences of Detroit's city limits to the intriguing reason why landlocked Bolivia still maintains a navy, this is a singular look at human history--told through its most spellbinding border stories.

EAN: 9781891011573
Publisher:
Experiment
Publication Date:
2024-10-08
Pages:
368
Dimensions:
9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
BISAC Subjects:
World - General, Wars & Conflicts - General,
Geopolitics

FAQs

Still have questions?! Drop us an email

We ship worldwide! No matter where you are, we’ll get your favorite reads to your doorstep. We partner with reliable carriers to ensure safe and timely delivery, whether you're in the U.S. or across the globe. See our Shipping Policy page for a complete list of shipping methods and transit times.

We typically process and ship orders within 24 hours. Orders placed on weekends or holidays ship the next business day. Delivery time depends on your location and the shipping method selected. Below are our default options, with upgrades available at checkout:

Domestic Orders (U.S.): USPS Economy Mail (2–7 business days) - $3.99 for the first unit, $1.00 per additional unit.

International Orders: Standard International Mail (4–10 business days) - $14.00 for the first unit, $10.50 per additional unit.

See our Shipping Policy page for a complete list of shipping methods and transit times.

We accept all major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. For added convenience, we also offer Shop Pay for orders over $35.00, which provides flexible payment options. More details will be available at checkout.

Once your order ships, we’ll email you a tracking number so you can monitor its progress and estimated delivery date. If you haven’t received your tracking email within two days of placing your order, please check your spam or promotions folder. If it’s still missing, contact us at orders@bookpop.shop, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Yes! You can send a gift directly to someone by entering their shipping address at checkout. We also offer a gift wrap service for $3.50 per item, and you have the option to include a personalized note with your order.

If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, within 30 days of placing your order, we will refund you for your purchase with no questions asked. Full details can be found in our Returns and Refund Policy

Returns and Refund Contact Info:
returns@bookpop.shop
415.318.0274
5 Lindsay Circle
San Francisco, CA 94124

Bag (0)

Your bag is currently empty!

Wishlist