Praise for Steven Johnson and his books:
“A kaleidoscopic rumination on the ways in which a single event, and the actions of a handful of men with no obvious access to the levers of state power, can change the course of history. . . . Steven Johnson treats us to fascinating digressions on the origins of terrorism, celebrity and the tabloid media; the tricky physics of cannon manufacture; and the miserable living conditions of the average 17th-century seaman.” —New York Times Book Review
“It is the perfect book to cozy up to during a pandemic…In addition to providing captivating “yo ho ho and a bottle of rum” action, the author examines the geopolitical and cultural implications of Every’s spasm of violence. His subject changed the very nature and geography of piracy in the eighteenth century.” —USA Today
“This thoroughly enjoyable history reveals how a single act can reverberate across centuries.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A maven of the history of ideas.” —The Guardian
“A deep thinker and gifted storyteller.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Mr. Johnson’s erudition can be quite gobsmacking.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Steven Johnson gives us history at its best: colorful, connected and compelling. . . . The Ghost Map is a masterpiece of historical writing.” —The Seattle Times
“Johnson’s writing derives its appeal from his ability to illuminate complex ideas in unpretentious language. . . . [his] prose is nimble, his knowledge impressive.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“Johnson is a polymath. . . . [It’s] exhilarating to follow his unpredictable trains of thought. To explain why some ideas upend the world, he draws upon many disciplines: chemistry, social history, even ecosystem science.” —Los Angeles Times
“Enough adventures to fill a Netflix series…[Johnson] skillfully makes sweeping historical points from bloody swashbuckling details.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
