Britain

Gideon Defoe

Gideon Defoe is the author of The Pirates! book series and wrote the screenplay for the Oscar nominated Aardman film The Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists. He has written about how animals have sex and penned a computer game tie-in novel for Gollancz. He does film development work with Locksmith Animation and Studio Canal, and is developing a sitcom with BBC studios.

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Latest reviews

“Imparts knowledge worthy of further investigation.”

— Global Atlanta, Jan 8 2024

“[ AN ATLAS ] assembles short accounts of 48 now-vanished micro-nations and their usually vainglorious founders.[...] Defoe, who works in film and animation, here writes a revved-up prose a bit like Hunter S. Thompson’s, but more jokey and with an English accent; it took...

— The Washington Post, Jun 23 2021

“Not just a recitation of nations that no longer exist, An Atlas of Extinct Countries is a very pointed and very funny critique of nation-states, borders, and the flawed men who make them....a timely cautionary history.” Read the full review on Lit Hub.

— Lit Hub, Jun 2 2021

★ “This book is a sparkling gem.”

— Booklist (Starred Review), May 18 2021

“Defoe brings a light touch to this unique collection [...] The author’s superior talent for vivid similes and punchy writing do justice to the tales of megalomaniacs and fools. This is perfect for fans of Atlas Obscura.”

— Publishers Weekly, May 17 2021

“The author’s irreverent, often biting style captures numerous unsettling elements of world history.”

— Kirkus Reviews, May 10 2021