"Elegantly written and beautifully illustrated, Why North is Up tells you everything you need to know about the signs, symbols and science behind map-making. It will also reveal a few things you didn’t know about maps. Essential reading for any map lover."
— Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in 12 Maps
"In this handsome and informative book, Mick Ashworth picks through the conventions that have shaped cartography thus far, in a lively narrative augmented by lavish illustrations of the maps in question. For map addicts and casual bystanders alike, this is a terrific work that both entertains and enlightens."
— Mike Parker, author of Map Addict and Mapping the Roads
"Ashworth has met his goal of providing a background on the origins and role of mapping conventions, and he does so with interesting stories, beautiful maps, and a comprehensive list of topics presented in succinct chapters...This book can serve as a reference for cartographic scholars while also being an enjoy-able read for anyone interested in the history of maps and mapmaking."
— Cartographic Perspectives
"The book is full of information, but it reads also as a well-rounded argument on the intricacies and complexities of maps and their conventions. Under the general name of “map conventions”, the author creates a fascinating investigation into the back-and-forth between ‘reality’ and ‘representation’, scientific pathos for objectivity and artistic beauty, technologies and power plays, ideologies and geographical placeness, and names and places."
— Metascience