Book Info
Here Begins the Dark Sea: Venice, a Medieval Monk, and the Creation of the Most Accurate Map of the World by Meredith Francesca Small (2023)
Genre: Nonfiction, History
LibraryThing: https://www.librarything.com/work/29433561/book/293129903
Acquired from: Little Free Library, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Started reading: August 21, 2025
Put on hold Sept. 2 — switching to ebook but I’m on a waitlist for it at the library
Finished reading: TBD
Bookmark: Powell’s, “Never Lose Your Place”
Reading Updates
Page 0: This font size is so small! I thought I’d be able to speed through this book because it didn’t look that big, but with this font size it’s actually probably very long whoops
I do love maps! I’m trying to train myself to use a paper map when I’m out sightseeing, but it’s a bit cumbersome compared to just pulling out your phone. And you’re obviously a tourist if you’re looking at a map (paper, street sign style) which can be a problem in some places. Anyway I’m excited for this book!
Page 8: Lots of science stuff about why humans do symbolism etc anyway I’m skimming it because tbh it could be shortened to a few paragraphs. Getting a bit repetitive, like me in grad school when I was trying to lengthen a paper to meet page quotas.
Page 18: Ancient city (with a street map): Çatalhöyük, Turkey — building entrance not at street level but through the roof?? Is this city visitable and can I go there? I wanna see!
Page 29: Okay finally made it past the psychological stuff and into a history of world maps
Page 60: “here begins Fra Mauro” okay we finally got here
Word List
Eagerly anticipating some great words to add to my dictionary!
Book Wishlist
📚 Meadows of Gold and Mines of Precious Stones by Al-Mas`ūdī
Place Wishlist
📍 Hereford Cathedral, UK – to see the Hereford map
See also: Books Read (2025) / All Reading Logs
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