Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #81611 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From the Author
Hello. While teaching map and compass courses over a number of years I have refined my understanding of the navigation process – as they say: if you want to learn a subject, teach it. Knowing too that using a map to do a walk is much better than taking one from a guide book, it occurred to me that a book might bring the mysterious art to wider audience. Thus I hope that many people will now feel they can gain the freedom that only maps can bring to explore the UK’s magnificent public footpath network. This book is aimed primarily at people starting to do their own walks, or maybe graduating from guide books to maps. It offers quite a bit too if you want to brush up on basic skills.

The chapters build up logically from “What is a map?” through visualising the countryside, and reading the route, to navigating a walk. We look at using a compass to set the map and to point the way. There are chapters too on planning a walk, the extra techniques of hill and moorland navigation, and strategies to use if lost. Over the years on my own walks I have assembled numerous attractive photographs which illustrate map-reading points, and these appear with the related map extract alongside so you can compare the two, this being the bread and butter of map reading. The extracts come from Ordnance Survey maps at the two main scales for walkers. I wanted the book not only to do a thorough job but also to look good with profuse colour illustrations. And I wanted the book to be fun to use.

Here are a few snippets from some reviews: “Will embolden even total duffers.” The Times. “Unusually well organised and well illustrated.” Manchester Evening News. “And most impressively, how to translate lines and symbols into the living landscape.” Birds (RSPB) Magazine. “Delicious photographs.....massively competent.” The School Librarian.

Julian Tippett

Customer Reviews

Navigation for Walkers - Julian Tippett
Extraordinarily helpful book. Beautifully illustrated with extracts from the excellent Ordnance Survey maps. It really does bring maps to life and is a joy to read. Easy to understand, without being childish, and I doubt whether even experienced map users don't learn a few new things, I did! Given that its price is about the same as a couple of O/S maps, it would be silly not to buy this book as a permanent companion.

In some ways the title is somewhat limited as, whilst addressed to walkers, the book is still of great relevance to anyone who uses maps for leisure purposes. Cyclists, particularly "off-track" mountain bikers, and any folk who like to get out into the great outdoors will find it of great benefit.

I cannot think of any aspect in connection with map reading which the book does not address, so far as the leisure user is concerned.

Perhaps the best way of summing up this book flows the author's own comment "One of my pleasant forms of escapism is to pore over the map of an attractive walking area, and to work out a number of walks to follow on an eagerly vist there, and I'll sometimes do this even if I have no plans to go there." With Julian Tippett's splendid book we can all do this and bring the landscape to life even when stuck in doors, at work, or simply whenever the countryside seems sadly too far away.

The ultimate guidebook on navigation skills.
This book must rate as the ultimate guidebook on navigation skills for walkers.The book covers the basics of navigation for beginners starting out using a map and compass, yet it also covers more advanced navigation skills such as walking across hills and moorland. This book is relevant to many levels of experiences in navigation techniques. The book is particularly relevant to the UK market in that the author illustrates the navigation techniques using UK ordnance survey maps. My only criticism is that the author appears quite negative about GPS systems. Due to the increasing popularity of such devices, in future editions he may have ignore these negative attitudes and include a new chapter on using GPS alongside OS mapping. WELL RECOMMENDED!!!

A clear guide for the concientious walker
An excellent book that takes the reader on a tour of basic navigation. As one who has done his fair share of map reading I discovered new ideas and a fresh insight into the basics.
By using clear language the author communicates in a concise way how to navigate from a 'birds eye view'[on the map]and the from the walkers 'real life' perspective.
Most of us need a refresher and this is the book to read; it does not treat you like an idiot, but answers all the basic questions you really want to ask.
A brilliant job Mr Tippett.