Book Review: The Map that Changed the World
© Geoff Habiger
Despite my own interest and background in geology, my first impression on hearing about Simon Winchester's book was one of, "why bother". Geologic maps are second nature to me, and I never really gave them a second thought. I find them beautiful to behold and very practical and I've even participated in creating geologic maps not only on Earth but on Mars as well I never gave thought to the history of this invaluable geologic tool.
Simon Winchester changed my mind. In recounting William Smith's struggle to create his first geologic map he brings to life a man who was before his time and who was cruelly ignored and plagiarized by his supposed peers. I found Winchester's style fluid and dynamic, interspersing narrative on William Smith's life with excerpts from Smith's diary entries and notes, making the book a delightful read. Not only did I learn about William Smith the man and the scientist, but I also learned a lot about the late 18th and early 19th century when William Smith lived. My only complaint is the jumps Winchester takes the reader on through the life of Smith. While most of the book is fairly linear, following Smith's life from boyhood in Oxfordshire to his adulthood and work in Bath, London, and finally his self-imposed exile to northern England, there are places where Winchester seems to be getting ahead of himself. At several places Winchester jumps ahead then backtracks, seemingly heading off on a tangent then remembering to get back to Smith and his life.
William Smith was not a perfect man, and Winchester does a wonderful job of bringing to light Smith's difficulties and problems, many of which directly or indirectly hindered his ambitious project to map the geology of England, Wales, and part of Scotland. (At one point Smith was placed in prison for failing to pay off his debts.) Smith often struggled to create his map while working as a freelance surveyor and drainage engineer, traveling across England often at his own expense to collect the fossils and map the strata. But despite these difficulties Smith endured and completed his ambitious project single-handedly.
Smith's map was a phenomenal accomplishment, measuring over eight feet by six feet in size. Winchester's account of Smith's struggle, the highs and lows of his life, to create this masterpiece is a wonderful testament to Smith's contribution to the science of geology. Along with the story of Smith's life, Winchester also provides a copy of the map (albeit in a smaller form) as part of the dust cover of the book (in hardback editions). The book is also illustrated with maps, fossils, and various locations that were prominent in Smith's life. There is a simple glossary and an extensive bibliography to assist the reader unfamiliar with certain terms or who is interested in reading further into Smith's story.
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