Title TBA 328086

"The Four Points of the Compass" by Jerry Brotton is a captivating non-fiction book that explores the significance of the four cardinal directions in various cultures and their impact on human identity and orientation. Brotton takes readers on a journey through history, illustrating how the directions north, south, east, and west possess not only geographical but also cultural and moral dimensions. He highlights why certain cultures, such as the Hebrews, favor the east, while others, like Renaissance Europeans, place the north at the top of their maps. The book also reflects on the changes in the digital age and the new significance we have as "the little blue dot" on the screen. Brotton demonstrates that the cardinal directions not only provide orientation but also reflect deeper human needs to create order and find meaning, depending on one's perspective.