Four Points of the Compass

About the book

Four Points of the Compass by Jerry Brotton is a non-fiction book for adult readers.

A sparkling exploration of the four cardinal directions, by the acclaimed author of A History of the World in 12 Maps North, south, east and west: almost all societies use the four cardinal directions to orientate themselves, to understand who they are by projecting where they are. In Four Points of the Compass, Jerry Brotton takes the reader on a journey of directional discovery.

He reveals why Hebrew culture privileges east; why Renaissance Europeans began drawing north at the top of their maps; why early Islam revered the south; why the Aztecs used five colour-coded cardinal directions; and why no societies, primitive or modern, have ever orientated themselves westwards. 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.

Delivery & pickup: Available from Whimsy and Wonder with New Zealand delivery or Christchurch pickup.