Selected for The Globe 100 Books in 2013.
A fascinating work of history, biography, cartography, and literary mystery, Mr Selden’s Map of China unlocks the secrets behind a recently discovered map of China like no other of its time.
In 1659, a vast and unusual map of China arrived in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. It was bequeathed by John Selden, a London business lawyer, political activist, former convict, MP, and the city’s first Orientalist scholar. Largely ignored, it remained in the bowels of the library, until called up by an inquisitive reader. When Timothy Brook saw it in 2009, he realized that the Selden Map was “a puzzle that had to be solved”: an exceptional artefact so unsettlingly modern-looking it could almost be a forgery. But it was genuine, and what it has to tell us is astonishing. It shows China, not cut off from the world, but a participant in the embryonic networks of global trade that fuelled the rise of Europe ― and now power China’s ascent. And it raises as many question as it answers: How did John Selden acquire it? Where did it come from? Who re-imagined the world in this way and, most importantly, what can it tell us about the world at that time?
Like a cartographic detective, award-winning author and historian Timothy Brook has provided answers. From the Gobi Desert to the Philippines, from Java to Tibet, and into China itself, Brook uses the map to tease out the varied elements that defined this crucial period in China’s history.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Timothy Brook is the award-winning author or editor of twelve books on China, including Quelling the People: The Military Suppression of the Beijing Democracy Movement and Opium Regimes: China, Britain, and Japan, 1839–1952. He is Professor of History at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
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Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1770893539I4N01
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. First Edition. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 10631976-6
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Fine. First Edition. Used book that is in almost brand-new condition. May contain a remainder mark. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 11870720-75
Seller: CMG Books and Art, Toronto, ON, Canada
hardcover. Condition: As New. U.S. orders are shipped from N.Y. state. Seller Inventory # 063598
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Seller: A Good Read, Toronto, ON, Canada
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Light edge and tip wear to d/j. A Good Read ships from Toronto and Niagara Falls, NY - customers outside of North America please allow two to three weeks for delivery. ; 6.5 X 0.84 X 9.5 inches; 256 pages. Seller Inventory # 237374
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Seller: Book House in Dinkytown, IOBA, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good+. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good+ Dust Jacket. First Edition. 1st printing of 1st edition (true first edition, as the author is Canadian and this copy was published in Toronto, Canada, by House of Anansi Press), with complete number line and color map endpapers. Interior appears free of markings, pages bright and crisp. Binding is tight, sturdy, and square. Unclipped dust jacket looks very nice. Corners not perfectly sharp, otherwise book is in pretty much near fine condition. Ships same or next business day from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Seller Inventory # 326167
Seller: Skoob-ebooks, Pontiac, QC, Canada
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good-. Minor wear only. The pages are clean and crisp with no highlighting or writing detected. The DJ is in very good condition but has a little edge wear with parts that are folded/crushed. Satisfaction guaranteed with 30-day return policy. Ships from Canada. ; 6.5 X 0.84 X 9.5 inches; 256 pages; R7 1.5m/1.3m s1. Seller Inventory # 11374
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Seller: Russell Books, Victoria, BC, Canada
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Seller Inventory # FORT490393
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Seller: Olmstead Books, Port Dover, ON, Canada
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. The green boards have a light bump to base of the spine, previous owner's stamp on front free page, some illustrations with 211 pages. The dust jacket is not price clipped and is in a Brodart cover. Seller Inventory # 12541
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Seller: Alex Simpson, Carrying Place, ON, Canada
Hard Cover. Condition: VG. Dust Jacket Condition: VG. First Edition. 211pp. with colour illustrations. Light creasing from page handling and light soil to outer edges. DJ has edge/rub wear, a couple indentation/scratch line marks to the spine and light creasing. Actual book for sale pictured. 16 x 23.5 x 2.2cm, wt650g Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 027132
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