Rethinking the Power of Maps

by Denis Wood

A contemporary follow-up to the groundbreaking Power of Maps , this book takes a fresh look at what maps do, whose interests they serve, and how they can be used in surprising, creative, and radical ways. Denis Wood describes how cartography facilitated the rise of the modern state and how maps continue to embody and project the interests of their creators. He demystifies the hidden assumptions of mapmaking and explores the promises and limitations of diverse counter-mapping practices today. Thought-provoking illustrations include U.S. Geological Survey maps; electoral and transportation maps; and numerous examples of critical cartography, participatory GIS, and map art.

Genres: Maps, Nonfiction, Geography, Cartography, History

335 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Tanglebones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much clearer, more engaging read than the other book on maps I've read recently. Generally a book that aims to point out how states and other powerful organizations have been the cause of, and have shaped most mapping since the rise of modern cartography.

[Lomme]

Wood is een eikel (convicted child abuser) en dat merk je aan de arrogante manier waarop hij schrijft, maar ik kan me inbeelden dat dat schalkse ook mensen net kan aanspreken, heel anti-academisch en platvoers onderbuik-materiaal. Ik vind dat het zijn boodschap wat ondermijnt, vooral als hij zijn schalksheid op specifieke mensen richt (zoals Harley, wiens gedachtengoed Wood mijns inziens misconstrueert en op wie Wood een bijna persoonlijke pik heeft, en hij als een bittere verliezer voortdurend probeert neer te sabelen of onder een bus probeert te gooien)

[Karla Kitalong]

The counter mapping section (2nd half of the book) was interesting, but I got bogged down in his analyses of numerous map artists' work. I needed to read this again though. Wood is foundational in cultural rhetorics of maps and mapmaking.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old college textbook I went back to