Book Review
Professor Short tells two stories: the history of the science of mapmaking, and the context, meaning and messages of the maps themselves as they evolved through history. The 200 beautifully-done, full-color illustrations are perhaps the most compelling aspect of this volume. It would be satisfying as a coffee table book alone, but the narrative provides easily accessible information ranging from a basic introduction to the vocabulary of cartography, maps through history, and contemporary social issues in mapmaking. Cartographic examples from a variety of cultures are pictured, for example prehistoric maps of Aboriginal Australian dreamtimes, rock maps from Africa, a Mesopotamian clay tablet map, and a 19th century wool embroidered Kashmiri map. The book is only 224 pages long, so is not an in-depth look at any aspect of the history of cartography, but it is as very attractive introduction and sampling that would entice readers into the wonderful world of maps. The lists of websites and of books for further reading are helpful in guiding the reader to further exploration.

~ Janet Fullerton, Coordinator of Information Services, Curtis Memorial Library
7/11/2006