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Books about Geography
Salt: A World History
by Mark Kurlansky
Comprehensive overview of the influence of salt on human society, from ancient times to the present.
In his fifth work of nonfiction, Mark Kurlansky turns his attention to a common household item with a long and intriguing history: salt. The only rock we eat, salt has shaped civilization from the ... (Goodreads)
Around the World in Eighty Days
by Jules Verne
An epic journey of adventure and exploration, pushing the boundaries of the known world.
The story starts in London on Wednesday, 2 October 1872. Phileas Fogg is a rich British gentleman living a solitary life. Despite his wealth, Fogg lives a modest life with habits carried out with ... (Wikipedia)
Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before
by Tony Horwitz
A modern-day journey following the footsteps of Captain Cook, exploring the Pacific and its people, history, and culture.
Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone BeforeTwo centuries after James Cook's epic voyages of discovery, Tony Horwitz takes readers on a wild ride across hemispheres and centuries to recapture the ... (Goodreads)
The Shadow of the Sun
by Ryszard Kapuściński
An epic account of a journey through Africa, navigating the continent's diverse cultures and politics.
In 1957, Ryszard Kapuscinski arrived in Africa to witness the beginning of the end of colonial rule as the first African correspondent of Poland's state newspaper. From the early days of independence ... (Goodreads)
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
by Jared Diamond
Tracing the origins of human civilizations through the lens of geography, technology, and biology.
"Diamond has written a book of remarkable scope ... one of the most important and readable works on the human past published in recent years." Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and a national bestseller: ... (Goodreads)
The Atlas of Middle-Earth
by Karen Wynn Fonstad
Detailed guide to the world of Middle-Earth from Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Karen Wynn Fonstad's THE ATLAS OF MIDDLE-EARTH is an essential volume that will enchant all Tolkien fans. Here is the definitive guide to the geography of Middle-earth, from its founding in the Elder ... (Goodreads)
Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks
by Ken Jennings
A humorous exploration of the world of geography enthusiasts, from obsessive map collectors to geography bee champions.
Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks is Ken's followup to his 2005 best-seller Brainiac . Much as Brainiac offered a behind-the-scenes look at the little-known demimonde of ... (Goodreads)
In a Sunburned Country
by Bill Bryson
Exploration of the unique and diverse land, people and animals of Australia.
A CLASSIC FROM THE, NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF, ONE SUMMER , Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out. His previous excursion along the ... (Goodreads)
The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World
by Andrea Wulf
Biography of the German scientist who changed our understanding of the natural world.
The acclaimed author of Founding Gardeners reveals the forgotten life of Alexander von Humboldt, the visionary German naturalist whose ideas changed the way we see the natural world—and in the ... (Goodreads)
Around the World in 200 Days
by أنيس منصور
عرض في هذا الكتاب معلومات عن الدول المختلفة وخصوصاً دول جنوب شرق آسيا مثل الهند و سيلان وسنغافورة و أستراليا واليابان والفلبين وهونج كونج، ثم زار أيضا الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وجزيرة هاواي. وتحدث ... (Goodreads)
Shantaram
by Gregory David Roberts
An Australian convict escapes to India and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
In 1978, Roberts was sentenced to a 19-year imprisonment in Australia after being convicted of a series of armed robberies of building society branches, credit unions , and shops. In July 1980, he ... (Wikipedia)
Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics
by Tim Marshall
Geopolitical exploration of global events and the impact of geography on politics.
In the bestselling tradition of Why Nations Fail and The Revenge of Geography , an award-winning journalist uses ten maps of crucial regions to explain the geo-political strategies of the world ... (Goodreads)
Riding the Iron Rooster
by Paul Theroux
A travelogue of China in the 1980s, exploring the country's culture, history, and people through the eyes of a curious outsider.
Paul Theroux invites you to join him on the journey of a lifetime, in the grand romantic tradition, by train across Europe, through the vast underbelly of Asia and in the heart of Russia, and then up ... (Goodreads)
Arabian Sands
by Wilfred Thesiger
A British explorer's account of his travels through the Arabian desert, living with Bedouin tribes and experiencing their way of life.
"Arabian Sands" is Wilfred Thesiger's record of his extraordinary journey through the parched "Empty Quarter" of Arabia. Educated at Eton and Oxford, Thesiger was repulsed by the softness and ... (Goodreads)
The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
by David McCullough
Historical account of the construction of the Panama Canal, and the struggles of those who built it.
On December 31, 1999, after nearly a century of rule, the United States officially ceded ownership of the Panama Canal to the nation of Panama. That nation did not exist when, in the mid-19th ... (Goodreads)
The Hunt for Atlantis
by Andy McDermott
Adventurer Nina Wilde and ex-SAS Eddie Chase search for the lost city of Atlantis, facing danger and betrayal at every turn.
Following in the tradition of Clive Cussler and Matthew Reilly, Andy McDermott takes us a roller-coaster ride in search of the legendary Atlantis. Archaeologist Nina Wilde believes she has found the ... (Goodreads)
Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
by Laurence Bergreen
Exploration of Magellan's circumnavigation of the world and its implications.
Ferdinand Magellan's daring circumnavigation of the globe in the sixteenth century was a three-year odyssey filled with sex, violence, and amazing adventure. Now in Over the Edge of the World , ... (Goodreads)
The Civil War, Vol. 1: Fort Sumter to Perryville
by Shelby Foote
Comprehensive chronicle of the American Civil War, from its beginnings to the battle of Perryville.
The Civil War: A Narrative, Vol. 1 begins one of the most remarkable works of history ever fashioned. All the great battles are here, of course, from Bull Run through Shiloh, the Seven Days Battles, ... (Goodreads)
The Places in Between
by Rory Stewart
A pilgrimage across Afghanistan, uncovering the country's forgotten history.
Stewart arrives in Afghanistan in January 2002, beginning his journey in Herat and proceeding on foot to Kabul . He is initially accompanied by two armed guards, Qasim and Abdul Haq, at the ... (Wikipedia)
The Histories
by Herodotus
Exploration into the rise and fall of empires in the ancient world.
One of the masterpieces of classical literature, the "Histories" describes how a small and quarrelsome band of Greek city states united to repel the might of the Persian empire. But while this epic ... (Goodreads)
Leo Africanus
by Amin Maalouf
An epic historical novel, tracing the journey of a North African explorer and diplomat in the 16th century.
"I, Hasan the son of Muhammad the weigh-master, I, Jean-Leon de Medici, circumcised at the hand of a barber and baptized at the hand of a pope, I am now called the African, but I am not from Africa, ... (Goodreads)
The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
by Peter Frankopan
An epic narrative of the discover of the world's trade routes, spanning more than 3,000 years.
The New Silk Roads takes a fresh look at the relationships being formed along the length and breadth of the ancient trade routes today. The world is changing dramatically and in an age of Brexit and ... (Goodreads)
1421: The Year China Discovered America
by Gavin Menzies
Exploration of the mystery behind the Chinese Admiral's journey to the Americas in 1421.
On 3/8/1421, the largest fleet the world had ever seen set sail from China. Its mission was "to proceed all the way to the ends of the earth to collect tribute from the barbarians beyond the seas" & ... (Goodreads)
Coming Into the Country
by John McPhee
A vivid portrayal of Alaska's wilderness and its inhabitants, exploring the state's history, culture, and politics.
This is the story of Alaska and the Alaskans. Written with a vividness and clarity which shifts scenes frequently, and yet manages to tie the work into a rewarding whole, McPhee segues from the ... (Goodreads)
The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot
by Robert Macfarlane
A poetic exploration of ancient paths and the landscapes they traverse, revealing the deep connections between people and place.
Robert Macfarlane travels Britain's ancient paths and discovers the secrets of our beautiful, underappreciated landscape. Following the tracks, holloways, drove-roads and sea paths that form part of ... (Goodreads)
Tonight on the Titanic
by Mary Pope Osborne
A young girl and her brother travel back in time to the fateful night of the Titanic's sinking.
Jack and Annie are in for an exciting, scary, and sad adventure when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the decks of the "Titanic." Is there anything they can do to help the ill-fated ship? ... (Goodreads)
Alaska
by James A. Michener
Epic tale of Alaskan history and culture tracing the lives of several generations of characters.
A sweeping description of the formation of the North American continent . The reader follows the development of the Alaskan terrain over millennia. The city of Los Angeles is now some twenty-four ... (Wikipedia)
The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World
by Roz Hopkins
A comprehensive guide to every country in the world, featuring stunning photography and cultural insights.
This book is the definitive pictorial dedicated to travel and the world, capturing every country on the planet with photographs and atmospheric text. Inspirational, inviting, and beautiful, it ... (Goodreads)
Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town
by Paul Theroux
An exploration of Africa, from the ancient wonders of the Nile to the modern marvels of the Cape.
In Dark Star Safari the wittily observant and endearingly irascible Paul Theroux takes readers the length of Africa by rattletrap bus, dugout canoe, cattle truck, armed convoy, ferry, and train. In ... (Goodreads)
In Patagonia
by Bruce Chatwin
A journey through the far reaches of Patagonia, exploring its culture and history.
An exhilarating look at a place that still retains the exotic mystery of a far-off, unseen land, Bruce Chatwin’s exquisite account of his journey through Patagonia teems with evocative descriptions, ... (Goodreads)
The Princes of Ireland
by Edward Rutherfurd
Epic chronicle of Irish history, spanning from ancient times to the present day.
Brilliantly weaving impeccable historical research with stirring storytelling, Edward Rutherfurd explores our shared Celtic roots in a magnificent epic of Ireland spanning eleven centuries. While ... (Goodreads)
The Covenant
by James A. Michener
Epic saga of a South African family spanning generations, exploring the power of love, loyalty, and faith.
Michener writes largely from the point of view of the Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers and French Huguenot immigrants who traveled to South Africa to practice freedom of worship in the ... (Wikipedia)
London
by Edward Rutherfurd
Historical novel tracing the 2000-year history of the English capital.
Here is Edward Rutherfurd's classic novel of London, a glorious pageant spanning 2,000 years. He brings this vibrant city's long and noble history alive through the ever-shifting fortunes, fates, and ... (Goodreads)
Why the West Rules—for Now: The Patterns of History, and What They Reveal About the Future
by Ian Morris
A comparative study of the East and West civilizations, analyzing their development and predicting the future of global power.
A New York Times Notable Book for 2011 Sometime around 1750, English entrepreneurs unleashed the astounding energies of steam and coal, and the world was forever changed. The emergence of factories, ... (Goodreads)
The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia
by Peter Hopkirk
A historical account of the 19th-century rivalry between Britain and Russia over Central Asia, known as the "Great Game."
For nearly a century the two most powerful nations on earth - Victorian Britain and Tsarist Russia - fought a secret war in the lonely passes and deserts of Central Asia. Those engaged in this ... (Goodreads)
The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the Americas
by Paul Theroux
A travelogue of a journey from Boston to Patagonia by train, exploring the diverse cultures and landscapes of the Americas.
A witty sharply observed journey down the length of North and South America. Beginning his journey in Boston, where he boarded the subway commuter train, and catching trains of all kinds on the way, ... (Goodreads)
The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology
by Simon Winchester
Biography of William Smith and his geological map, tracing the evolution of geology and its impact on the world.
In 1793, a canal digger named William Smith made a startling discovery. He found that by tracing the placement of fossils, which he uncovered in his excavations, one could follow layers of rocks as ... (Goodreads)
At the Water's Edge
by Sara Gruen
In search of the Loch Ness monster, a wealthy American couple and their friend find themselves in a remote Scottish village during WWII.
After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve of 1942, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis’s father, a former army ... (Goodreads)
On Trails: An Exploration
by Robert Moor
A philosophical exploration of the significance of trails in nature and human life, revealing the interconnectedness of all things.
In 2009, while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Robert Moor began to wonder about the paths that lie beneath our feet: How do they form? Why do some improve over time while others fade? What makes ... (Goodreads)
Caravans
by James A. Michener
A young American woman travels to Afghanistan and falls in love with the country and a local man, facing cultural clashes and political turmoil.
In this romantic adventure of wild Afghanistan, master storyteller James Michener mixes the allure of the past with the dangers of today. After an impetuous American girl, Ellen Jasper, marries a ... (Goodreads)
New York
by Edward Rutherfurd
An epic saga spanning centuries of the history and people of New York City.
Edward Rutherfurd celebrates America’s greatest city in a rich, engrossing saga, weaving together tales of families rich and poor, native-born and immigrant—a cast of fictional and true characters ... (Goodreads)
Around the World in 80 Days: Companion to the PBS Series
by Michael Palin
Follow Michael Palin's journey as he retraces Phileas Fogg's steps around the world in 80 days.
British actor and comedian Michael Palin – best known to American audiences for his work in Monty Python and the film A Fish Called Wanda -- follows in the footsteps of Jules Verne's fictional ... (Goodreads)
Equator
by Miguel Sousa Tavares
A Portuguese family moves to Angola in the 20th century, facing the challenges of colonialism and cultural differences.
It is 1905 and Luis Bernardo Valenca, a thirty-seven-year-old bachelor and owner of a small shipping company, is revelling in Lisbon’s grand and luxurious high society. But his life is turned upside ... (Goodreads)
Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time
by Mark Adams
An adventurous journey to uncover the secrets of Peru's Machu Picchu.
THE, NEW YORK TIMES, BESTSELLING TRAVEL MEMOIR,What happens when an unadventurous adventure writer tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu?,In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Living Mountain
by Nan Shepherd
A poetic exploration of the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland, delving into the essence of nature and our relationship with it.
This is an alternate Cover Edition for, ISBN10: 0857861832/ ISBN13: 9780857861832,. The Living Mountain is a lyrical testament in praise of the Cairngorms. It is a work deeply rooted in Nan ... (Goodreads)
Lions at Lunchtime
by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie travel to the African grasslands and encounter lions, elephants, and a Maasai warrior.
Jack and Annie are whisked off to the vast plains of Africa, where they must solve Morgan le Fay's third magical riddle. But that's only the beginning! Once the riddle is solved, they still have to ... (Goodreads)
Chesapeake
by James A. Michener
A sweeping saga of four generations of a family living in Maryland and their struggles to adapt to changing times.
The story-line, like much of Michener's work, depicts a number of characters within family groups over a long time period, richly illustrating the history of the area through these families' ... (Wikipedia)
Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley & Livingstone
by Martin Dugard
The incredible true story of journalist Henry Stanley's search for explorer David Livingstone in the heart of Africa.
What really happened to Dr. David Livingstone? The, New York Times, bestselling coauthor of, Survivor: The Ultimate Game, investigates in this thrilling account. With the utterance of a single ... (Barnes & Noble)
A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World
by Tony Horwitz
A journey through the forgotten history of America before Columbus, uncovering the myths and legends of the New World.
On a chance visit to Plymouth Rock, Tony Horwitz realizes he's mislaid more than a century of American history, from Columbus’s sail in 1492 to Jamestown's founding in 16-oh-something. Did nothing ... (Goodreads)
Around the World in 80 Days
by Marian Leighton
Phileas Fogg bets he can travel around the world in 80 days, encountering adventure and danger along the way.
An eccentric Englishman accepts a challenge to circle the globe with unprecedented speed. Exotic locales, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and comic relief provide a fantastic blend of adventure, ... (Goodreads)
Poland
by James A. Michener
A sweeping historical novel that explores the rich and complex history of Poland, from its early beginnings to modern times.
Like the heroic land that is its subject, James Michener's Poland teems with vivid events and unforgettble characters. In the sweeping span of eight tumultuous centuries, three Polish families live ... (Goodreads)
Our Dumb World: The Onion's Atlas of the Planet Earth
by The Onion
A satirical atlas that pokes fun at stereotypes and cliches of different countries and cultures around the world.
Our Dumb World: The Onion's Atlas of The Planet Earth, 73rd Edition features incorrect statistics on all of the Earth's 168, 182, or 196 independent nations. It also features maps, including a ... (Goodreads)
Paddle-to-the-Sea
by Holling Clancy Holling
A wooden figure of a Native American in a canoe travels from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean, encountering various obstacles and people along the way.
At Lake Nipigon , Ontario, a First Nation boy carves a wooden model of an “Indian” in a canoe. On its side he roughly carves the words "Please put me back in the water. I am Paddle-to-the-Sea" and ... (Wikipedia)
Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart
by Tim Butcher
An exploration of the Congo River, tracing its past and present history.
A compulsively readable account of a journey to the Congo — a country virtually inaccessible to the outside world — vividly told by a daring and adventurous journalist. Ever since Stanley first ... (Goodreads)
Earthquake in the Early Morning
by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie travel to San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake and help a young girl find her family.
Jack and Annie are all shaken up! The magic tree house whisks them back to California in 1906. As soon as they arrive, the famous San Francisco earhtquake hits the city. Chinese and English bilingual ... (Goodreads)
Hour of the Olympics
by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie travel back to ancient Greece to witness the first Olympic games.
The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! No girls allowed at the Olympic Games! That's the rule when the Magic ... (Goodreads)
Caribbean
by James A. Michener
A sweeping historical novel that explores the Caribbean islands and their complex cultural and political histories.
In this acclaimed classic novel, James A. Michener sweeps readers off to the Caribbean, bringing to life the eternal allure and tumultuous history of this glittering string of islands. From the 1310 ... (Goodreads)
Travels
by Michael Crichton
A collection of travel essays that explore the author's adventures and experiences around the world.
Often I feel I go to some distant region of the world to be reminded of who I really am. When Michael Crichton – a Harvard-trained physician, bestselling novelist, and successful movie director -- ... (Goodreads)
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