Contributor(s): Professor Jerry Brotton, Mike Parker | Throughout history maps have been fundamental in shaping our view of the world and our place in it. Our panel will discuss how maps both influence and reflect contemporary events and how, by reading them, we can better understand the worlds that produced them. Jerry Brotton is professor of renaissance studies at Queen Mary University of London, and a leading expert in the history of maps and Renaissance cartography. His last book, The Sale of the Late King's Goods: Charles I and his Art Collection (2006), was short-listed for the Samuel Johnson Prize as well as the Hessell-Tiltman History Prize. In 2010, he was the presenter of the BBC4 series Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession. His latest book is A History of the World in Twelve Maps. Mike Parker is the author of the best-selling Map Addict and writer and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s On the Map. He is currently working on a book, The Story of Britain in Road Maps, to be published in autumn 2013. This event forms part of LSE's 5th Space for Thought Literary Festival, taking place from Tuesday 26 February - Saturday 2 March 2013, with the theme 'Branching Out'.