Product Description

Can you always believe what you see on a map? Is a map always a true reflection of the ground beneath our feet? This work invites the reader to take a closer look at maps, and to discover that there is often more to a map then meets the eye. For example: the secret 1926 map of London which illustrates the government's fear of a revolution during the General Strike; and the 1695 map of paradise, which attempted to reconcile science and religion by locating the position of Noah's Ark, or where Jonah met the whale. These maps and many more are discussed in this illustrated book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1165988 in Books
• Published on: 2001-12-15
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Customer Reviews

Good, but not as good as it could have been
I love maps, but somehow, I didn't quite connect with this book.

The book is derived from an exhibition at the British Library and this is, for me, where the problems start. The book refers to examples from the exhibition throughout, but not all of them are illustrated in the book, neither are they explained in sufficient detail to explain fully the points made.

Don't get me wrong. The book has some wonderful illustrations: a war-time aerial photograph with an airport painted over; an elephant drawn in the contour lines of a map of Africa's Gold Cost, which survived in maps up to the 1960s or the maiden's head drawn in a map of the moon of the 17th century.

It is an enjoyable book in itself, but it didn't feel like a standalone read - it would be better with either more illustrations, or less reference to the exhibition.