The Madman's Library
The Greatest Curiosities of Literature
(Autor) Edward Brooke-Hitching- BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK * 'Anybody who loves the printed word will be bowled over by this amusing, erudite, beautiful book about books. It is in every way a triumph. One of the loveliest books to have been published for many, many years' Alexander McCall Smith 'Quite simply the best gift for any book lover this year, or perhaps ever' Lucy Atkins, Sunday Times Literary Book of the Year 'An utterly joyous journey into the deepest eccentricities of the human mind... The most cheering, fascinating book I've read for ages' Guardian From the author of the critically acclaimed and globally successful The Phantom Atlas, The Golden Atlas and The Sky Atlas comes a stunning new work. The Madman's Library is a unique, beautifully illustrated journey through the entire history of literature, delving into its darkest territories to hunt down the very strangest books ever written, and uncover the fascinating stories behind their creation. This is a madman's library of eccentric and extraordinary volumes from around the world, many of which have been completely forgotten. Books written in blood and books that kill, books of the insane and books that hoaxed the globe, books invisible to the naked eye and books so long they could destroy the Universe, books worn into battle, books of code and cypher whose secrets remain undiscovered... and a few others that are just plain weird. From the 605-page Qur'an written in the blood of Saddam Hussein, through the gorgeously decorated 15th-century lawsuit filed by the Devil against Jesus, to the lost art of binding books with human skin, every strand of strangeness imaginable (and many inconceivable) has been unearthed and bound together for a unique and richly illustrated collection ideal for every book-lover.
Edward Brooke-Hitching
Edward Brooke-Hitching is a British author and historian known for his works on cartography, exploration, and rare books. His most notable book, "The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps," explores the history of fictional and mythical places depicted on maps throughout history. Brooke-Hitching's writing style is characterized by meticulous research and engaging storytelling, making complex historical topics accessible to a wide audience. His contributions to literature include shedding light on the fascinating world of mapmaking and the ways in which maps have shaped our understanding of the world. "The Phantom Atlas" remains his most famous work and has garnered critical acclaim for its unique approach to cartography and exploration.
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