About the author
Edward Brooke-Hitching is a British author and antiquarian book and map collector known for a series of richly illustrated nonfiction titles published by Chronicle Books. Beginning with The Phantom Atlas (2018), which collects historical maps built on myths, lies, and cartographic errors, he followed with The Sky Atlas (2020), on the history of celestial mapping, and The Madman's Library (2021), a survey of history's strangest books and manuscripts. The Devil's Atlas (2022) extends the format to depictions of heavens, hells, and afterworlds across global cultures, The Madman's Gallery (2023) applies it to art, and The Madman's Orchestra turns to the history of music. Each book pairs antique illustrations and artifacts with the unusual stories behind them, a format Brooke-Hitching has developed consistently across the series for readers interested in curious, visually driven history rather than conventional narrative nonfiction.
📖 Where to start with Edward Brooke-Hitching
💬 What our editors say about Edward Brooke-Hitching's books
“Edward Brooke-Hitching delivers a visually sumptuous expedition that charts the heavens and hells of diverse global cultures. The book excels as a cartographer’s dream, offering a rich tapestry of historical art and compelling…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Devil's Atlas: An Explorer's Guide to Heavens, Hells and Afterworlds
“Brooke-Hitching delivers a visually arresting journey through music's strangest corners, blending wit with profound curiosity. The illustrations are exquisite, elevating the text into a coffee table masterpiece. However, it does…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Madman's Orchestra: The Greatest Curiosities from the History of Music Brooke-Hitching, Edward
“This title offers a visually rich and narratively enthralling tour of literary curiosities, praised for its meticulous curation and Edward Brooke-Hitching’s distinctive illustrations. However, it may not suit readers seeking…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Madman's Library: The Strangest Books, Manuscripts and Other Literary Curiosities from History Brooke-Hitching, Edward
📋 Editions by Edward Brooke-Hitching in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Devil's Atlas: An Explorer's Guide to Heavens, Hells and Aft | 2022 | Chronicle Books | 256 | 9781797214474 |
| The Madman's Orchestra: The Greatest Curiosities from the Histor | 2026 | Chronicle Books | 256 | 9781797240121 |
| The Madman's Library: The Strangest Books, Manuscripts and Other | 2021 | Chronicle Books | 256 | 9781797207308 |
| The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps | 2018 | Chronicle Books | 256 | 9781452168401 |
| The Madman's Gallery: The Strangest Paintings, Sculptures and Ot | 2023 | Chronicle Books | 256 | 9781797221762 |
| The Sky Atlas: The Greatest Maps, Myths, and Discoveries of the | 2020 | Chronicle Books | — | 9781797201184 |
