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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
very interesting, although also very dense. I thought some of the later chapters were more interesting, but it was all pretty interesting. There's a bit of a euro centric bias. It definitely changed the way I think about maps.
True rating: 3.5/5
Oftentimes went over my head with all the technical terminology. More for a fan of maps than a fan of history
Oftentimes went over my head with all the technical terminology. More for a fan of maps than a fan of history
I like the idea of this book more than the actual book. The author provides so many details, many of which are unremarkable or unimportant, and the result is that you take away a lot of nothing instead of an important something.
What is interesting is how maps illustrate how people view their world at each stage and culture in history - a simple version of that would make a great book.
What is interesting is how maps illustrate how people view their world at each stage and culture in history - a simple version of that would make a great book.
I loved a few chapters (e.g., empire, information, equality) but overall this was too detailed, which made some things hard to follow along with.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I do love micro-histories and this one was no exception. This book presents the stories of twelve of the most influential maps of all time. From ancient renderings from Babylon to Google Earth, we see the rise and fall cartographers, theories of the cosmos, and world powers. The book got a bit dry at times, but there was just so much to learn. If the author wanted to provide JUST the history of the world as presented with twelve maps, this book could have been half the length. Instead, you learn the history of geography, cartography, geopolitics, and more. Beautiful pictures and diagrams illustrate the text. A great read if you're interested in the subject.
Reviewed first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-history-of-world-in-12-maps.html
A History of the World in 12 Maps starts with Ptolemy's Geography dated from the second century and ends with the current version of Google Earth. The other maps included in the 12 are:
- 1100s - the maps of Muhammad al-Idrisi created for the king of Sicily
- Circa 1300 - the Mappamundi created in Italy
- 1402 - Kangnido world map from Japan, one of the oldest surviving maps of East Asia
- 1507 - German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller's world map credited with the first usage of the word America
- 1529 - Diogo Ribeiro 1529 credited to be first scientific world map
- 1569 - Belgian Gerard Mercator's map that used a navigational grid
- 1600 - Joan Baleu's creation of an atlas in Amsterdam
- 1700s - Maps of France by the Cassini family, the first to use triangular measurements
- Early 1900s - maps by Halford Mackinder, the first to address geopolitical maps
- 1970s - Peters Projection named for German historian Arno Peters
As this list shows, the book is literally a walk forward through history. It covers a length and breadth of the Eurocentric world as it was known at the time. It also presents a history of cartography with its technical and usage innovations. In addition, it presents the history of the time, place, and people behind the map - clearly and repeatedly making the point that a map reflects the interpretation and vision of the mapmakers.
This book is dense. It contains a lot of information - on the maps themselves and on the geopolitical climate and events that led to the development of each map. As such, it becomes a history of cartography and a history of the world. At the same time, it is a very enjoyable and readable book. A great pick for anyone who enjoys history or geography.
*** Reviewed based on a ebook galley received through NetGalley ***
A History of the World in 12 Maps starts with Ptolemy's Geography dated from the second century and ends with the current version of Google Earth. The other maps included in the 12 are:
- 1100s - the maps of Muhammad al-Idrisi created for the king of Sicily
- Circa 1300 - the Mappamundi created in Italy
- 1402 - Kangnido world map from Japan, one of the oldest surviving maps of East Asia
- 1507 - German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller's world map credited with the first usage of the word America
- 1529 - Diogo Ribeiro 1529 credited to be first scientific world map
- 1569 - Belgian Gerard Mercator's map that used a navigational grid
- 1600 - Joan Baleu's creation of an atlas in Amsterdam
- 1700s - Maps of France by the Cassini family, the first to use triangular measurements
- Early 1900s - maps by Halford Mackinder, the first to address geopolitical maps
- 1970s - Peters Projection named for German historian Arno Peters
As this list shows, the book is literally a walk forward through history. It covers a length and breadth of the Eurocentric world as it was known at the time. It also presents a history of cartography with its technical and usage innovations. In addition, it presents the history of the time, place, and people behind the map - clearly and repeatedly making the point that a map reflects the interpretation and vision of the mapmakers.
This book is dense. It contains a lot of information - on the maps themselves and on the geopolitical climate and events that led to the development of each map. As such, it becomes a history of cartography and a history of the world. At the same time, it is a very enjoyable and readable book. A great pick for anyone who enjoys history or geography.
*** Reviewed based on a ebook galley received through NetGalley ***
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Good popular geography highlighting twelve maps which changed the conception of the known world, or which illustrate the way in which the mapmakers located themselves and their people in the world. Brotton makes sure to make this a global survey, with the Korean Kangnido World Map of 1402 and al-Idrisi's friendship with Roger II of Sicily resulting in the Book of Roger. Good work for generalists, with explanations of cartography and techniques.