A journey to forty-five unexpected destinations near and far, with quirky histories, beautiful maps, and evocative photography: "First-class armchair travel." — South China Morning Post
A New Statesman Best Book of the Year
Take an armchair voyage to places both infamous and unknown that have, often by chance or by haphazard means, been destinations of discovery that shaped our world. Set foot on the aptly named Just Enough Room Island. Chart the royal romance that led shipwrecked lovers to discover the purple rock of Madeira. Learn about the surprising origins of Vaseline. Follow in the footsteps of a stray goat who led its keeper to uncover lost ancient biblical scrolls. These are the world's most wondrous, improbable, and—most of all—unexpected places, presented by a cultural historian and winner of an Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award.
"Elborough writes about a wide range of subjects with originality, learning and charm. Atlas of the Unexpected . . . is seductively beautiful: an inspiring, dream-inducing guide." —New Statesman
Praise for the Unexpected Atlas series
"Engrossing." — The Observer
"Understatedly expressive." — The New York Times
"A delightful compendium." — The Daily Telegraph

motw/Atlas of the Unexpected_ Haphazard Discove - Travis Elborough.epub

Elborough, Travis; Brown, Martin

Quarto Publishing Group USA

Quarto Publishing Group UK

Harvard Common Press

The Ivy Press

White Lion 1

Aurum Press

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

Minneapolis, 2018

London, 2018

5, 20181018

Memory of the World Librarian: Quintus

Atlas of the Unexpected is a journey to far-off lands, obscure discoveries and unimaginable locations, with 45 beautiful, unique maps and evocative photography. Take an armchair voyage to places both infamous and unknown that have, often by chance or by haphazard means, been destinations of discovery that make up our world today. Learn about the accidental discovery or Vaseline. Set foot on the aptly named Just Enough Room Island. Chart the royal romance that led shipwrecked lovers to discover the purple rock of Madeira. Follow in the footsteps of a stray goat who led its keeper to uncover lost ancient biblical scrolls. These are the world’s most wondrous, improbable and – most of all – unexpected of places. “Travis Elborough writes about a wide range of subjects with originality, learning and charm. Atlas of the Unexpected...is seductively beautiful: an inspiring, dream-inducing guide to almost four dozen “haphazard discoveries, chance places and unimaginable destinations”..." David Kynaston, New Statesman – ‘best books of 2018’ Also in the Unexpected Atlas series: Atlas of Untamed Places, Atlas of Improbable Places, Atlas of Vanishing Places.

In 45 beautiful, unique maps and with evocative photography, Atlas of the Unexpected is a journey to far-off lands, obscure discoveries and unimaginable locations. From the fortuitous discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls by a stray goat, to the wonderfully bizarre beginnings that led to the aptly named Just Enough Room Island and even the royal romance that led shipwrecked lovers to discover Madeira, Travis Elborough takes you on a voyage to some of the world’s most wondrous, improbable and – most of all – unexpected of places.
Reference,Curiosities & Wonders,Travel,General,Social Science,Human Geography

Atlas of the Unexpected is a voyage to places both infamous and unknown that have, often by chance or by haphazard means, been destinations of discovery that make up our world today. Divided into five categories, charting such discoveries as Vaseline, the first recorded landing on the purple rock of Madeira and even follow in the footsteps of a stray goat who led its keeper to uncover lost ancient biblical scrolls

2025-10-27