"[Winther] has engaged fundamentally with mapping and cartography in order to show what significance maps play in all areas of science, how the clarification of spatial relationships helps in the formation of theory and representation of ideas in both the natural sciences and the humanities. . . . He never tires of giving hints to the danger of 'pernicious reification', the always erroneous equalization of a model with reality, regardless of whether it is the Mercator projection, the pictorial flattening of Earth in the atlas, gene-driven evolution or a model of Homo sapiens: The theory is never the Living."

Süddeutsche Zeitung

"Winther writes from a wide-ranging, multidisciplinary perspective to show the power of the map, mapping, and ‘map thinking’ to organize and understand complex information. In very clear prose, citing a rich literature, he explores the possibilities of mapping, as well as its limitations and hazards. Professionals in geographic information systems who read this book will expand their conception of mapping and see their work as integral to the entire human enterprise; they will reflect more deeply on what they are doing, how they do it, and why; and be encouraged to look further into the philosophical underpinnings of mapping and GIS."

Jack Dangermond, founder and president, Esri

"An intriguing and often brilliant book, When Maps Become the World raises profound, even fundamental philosophical questions about ‘map thinking.’ The map is considered here as more than simply a scientific model or abstraction but as a kind of ‘metaperspective’ through which the world has been understood scientifically. This is an important book on how the map can be considered philosophically as a heuristic device that has enabled and constrained the development of scientific rationality."

Michael Heffernan, University of Nottingham

"A valuable contribution to the philosophy of scientific representation."

Springer Nature

"Defining what a map is and how it works is a centuries-old exercise. Winther boldly goes where many have gone before and, after settling on a definition that allows for new directions, he explores how ‘map thinking’ operates to organize scientific knowledge and guide social change. Not only do maps represent the world we live in, but they also suggest multiple ways to remake it and, hopefully, improve it."

Imago Mundi

"A sound contribution to the transdisciplinary field of map studies. . . . This book succeeds in bringing new  theoretical insights into past cartographic materials and processes, encompassing diverse epochs, practices, and key ideas in map thinking. . . . The inclusive stance of this extremely well-written book is genuine, and the effort to bring together a huge amount of writings about cartography is valuable. From the specific angle of map theory, this book is a particularly welcome contribution that endorses a pluralistic style of thinking within the lively arena of map studies. From the point of view of science, it offers a sophisticated reflection on the generative powers of cartographic theorization."

The Holocene

"When Maps Become the World deservedly takes its place alongside some of the great philosophical reflections on the unique alchemy of maps. This immensely rich and deeply learned book is about the power and limitations of maps and ‘map thinking’ as a way of understanding cartography as well as scientific theory and practice. Moving beyond the established critique of maps, Winther provides a dazzling route for new ‘map thinking’ in our bewildering digital age. A superb achievement."

Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in Twelve Maps

"A tour de force. Philosophers of science have increasingly resorted to analogies with maps and mapping in thinking about the relation of scientific theories and models to the world(s) they are about. Winther interrogates this usage in multiple ways: a historical overview of map-making in the West, a philosophical examination of the assumptions and commitments of map language, and in-depth studies of mapping practices in sciences from cosmology to neuroscience to genetics. Wonderfully enhanced by reproductions of maps from the many domains in which they are used, this book gives welcome philosophical substance to a widely used and increasingly central concept in studies of science."

Helen Longino, Stanford University

"It's only three-hundred pages but When Maps Become the World is a lot of book with a lot of thought-provoking propositions about life and how to live it. Masquerading as a book about maps and science, it's a manual on how to be in the world, a manual on how to live."

Denis Wood, Making Maps: DIY Cartography

"An engaging and informative work. . . . I recommend this book to graduate students taking a history and philosophy of geography class, along with anyone else interested in this field."

Cartographic Perspectives

"Convincingly links cartography and philosophy of science. . . . Winther relies on a careful archaeology of the basic or foundational assumptions lying behind every representation, and on 'counter-mappings': mappings that illustrate a minority or outsider point of view and thus show the contextuality of other maps. He illustrates his approach with examples of mapping in cosmology, brain research, and genetics. In doing so, he impressively shows the limitations the mapping of genes and brain functions have, and in which way 'counter maps' can open up new perspectives. . . . [The] book is an unorthodox and passionate plea for a diversity of perspectives—of structures, orders, and summaries—in cartography, science, and the philosophy of science. And at the same time, a convincing treatment of the tendency to confuse maps with the reality they describe."

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

"A valuable contribution to the philosophy of scientific representation. . . . Winther's writing and reasoning is clear and engaging. For the most part, this book is widely accessible to non-expert readers. . . . [An] excellent book."

History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences

"[Winther] blends wide-ranging, multidisciplinary perspectives to demonstrate the power of maps, mapping, and the philosophical 'map thinking' that helps explain complex information and relationships through scientific theories and models. Winther's text evaluates the promises, consequences, and perils of map thinking. . . . Winther's provocative, thoughtful treatise expands familiar concepts of cartography. GIS specialists could benefit from his reflections. . . . Highly recommended."

Choice, 2020 Outstanding Academic Title