I signori delle mappe

Although I'd read many books about explorers and exploration of the earth, I'd never read anything before specifically about cartography, i.e. the mapping of the planet. This book, arranged chronologically and thematically, handles it all, from the ancient Sumerians to the initial charting of Mars.

I'm kind of nerdy about maps. I just think they're cool. Reading about the evolution of cartography and the often harrowing ordeals mapmakers went through to greater understand our world was a joy.

More reviews available at my blog, Beauty and the Bookworm . I picked The Mapmakers up probably a year and a half ago while perusing the gift shop at the Smithsonian Air and Space museum; I'm pretty sure I was there to watch Interstellar on the IMAX screen. I'm not a big Air and Space fan (I favor the Leggi tutto

When my partner asked what I was reading, and I replied that it’s a history of cartography, she first replied “what’s that?” and swiftly followed my explanation with “oh dear, nerd!” No doubt she was right, and this excellent tome is unashamedly a book for nerds, written by a massive cartography ner Leggi tutto

Wow, I cannot believe that I finally finished this one! Full review to come - overall decent book, although it had its weaknesses.

Very fun read. The last few chapters I thought would have been my least favorite, ended up being my favorite. Truly amazing stuff. I take my hat off to those cartographers.

I enjoy this topic but have to admit, this one was a bit of a tough slog. The long and detailed sections about the mapping of the United States were overdone for non US readers. I found myself having to frequently refer to google maps for states/towns etc. Can’t be that bad though. Have given it to Leggi tutto