The World Through Maps: A History of Cartography

by John Rennie Short

The history of mapping from prehistoric times to the present. This book explores how maps were developed and why they reveal as much about the people who created them as they reveal about the world. Throughout the ages, maps have reflected religious beliefs, disseminated propaganda, expressed cultural attitudes, and promoted new theories. Through accessible text and color images, the book traces the fascinating history of cartography. The ancient Greeks were brilliant cartographers whose mapping skills were honed as a result of the global conquests of Alexander the Great. Their understanding of a spherical Earth and how to depict it on a flat sheet of paper was nearly lost during the Middle Ages. The book explains why in the 15th century, the value of sea charts rivaled gold as a primary target for buccaneer captains. Later, maps became status symbols among wealthy merchants who built vast fortunes thanks to thriving trade routes made possible by reliable sea navigation. The World Through Maps is abundantly illustrated with historically important maps to explain the development of cartography. Significant maps

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Maps, Cartography, Art

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2003

About the author

Prof. John Rennie Short is the Professor of Public Policy in the Department of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), USA.

He received an MA in Geography from the University of Aberdeen in 1973 and a PhD in 1977 from the University of Bristol.

He has been the Professor of Public Policy at UMBC since 2005, having previously held positions at the University of Bristol, the University of Reading and Syracuse University.

He currently writes for a number of audiences, including The Conversation.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike some of the other critical reviews here, I though this book was an interesting read. As someone who teaches anthropology and archaeology, this book covered just enough information in cartography that I might recommend students read this to supplement their understanding of other concepts in class.

For a full discussion of this book, and other "atlases," check out this episode of "From the Archives": https://anchor.fm/anthropologyarchive....

[Morgan McGuire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good illustrations, throwaway encyclopedia text.

[Lawson Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for research

[Elizabeth F · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful maps, some of the authors words seem very pointed