Geography Books

Please know that the book Surveying Solved Problems for the FS and PS Exams by Jan Van Sickle is the same book as 1001 Solved Surveying Fundamentals Problems- plus it has some new problems too.

A must have for future PLS or LSIT examinees. An excellent source of study material needed for NCEES exams including, but not limited to, the history of surveying, calculations, State Plane systems, GPS, and Photogrametry.

I used this book as a study aid and as one of the books I had while taking my test. I found several answers to the test worked out or answered in this book.

The book is as advertised. It has a very large variety of solved surveying problems. The problems and their solutions are very thorough and clear. It's a well done book. The biggest downside is there is no index or listing of the types of problems in the book. If you are using this as a reference dring a surveying or professional engineers exam you will have a hard time finding the example problem you are looking for unless you have spent a great deal of time getting familiar with the book or developed your own listing of the problems. It was very helpful in preparing for the 2.5 hour California surveying exam, it was useless during the exam.

I bought this book to help review for the LSIT exam. After going through some problems I found the book to be very helpful in refreshing my memory on some of the things I forgot. Def. a good book for any surveyor or surveying student.

This title is a must for educators of young children. The illustrations are beautiful and the language is understandable even for the youngest of school children. Reading and discussing this book with a classroom will help children discover that differences are what make us special and differences are a reason for celebration. Love builds the bridges that create community within any and all societies.

This book relays the differences of people in a simplistic way with beautiful artwork. When teaching, this book can be used with different age groups. It can be used as a story-starter for writing with students.

Buy this book if you love all people.

~Shauna Schoenborn

Recently a close friend with mixed race toddlers appealed to me for advice on how to respond to her children's questions about color and difference. She lives in 'monocultural' rural Spain and thought that based upon my own experiences I could share some insight. We chatted for a bit, and then after we hung up I started to search through the old forgotten children's books belonging to my (now teenage) sons for appropriate ones to send her. My boys were happy to part with the picture and early years storybooks I'd found until,that is, I showed them this book 'All the Colors of the Earth'. Individually they both said a categorical "No way!" to the idea of parting with it, and I was both shocked at the level of affection they held for this gorgeous but seemingly discarded book, and secretly proud that in their new worlds of computer games and Manga and loud music that they still harbored a secret place of childhood memories where this fabulous book holds such a special place. My eldest surprised me further by speaking of wanting to share it with his own children in the future-imagine! So I had to buy my friend her own copy and have it shipped to us in the UK, so that we could give it as a present when they came to visit us. The moist-eyed smiles and gasps of delight that both she and her partner gave while flicking through the pages said it all. Looks like yet another family has an heirloom for future generations.

I was fortunate enough to receive this as a prize in a local contest for my kids; they love it! The text, the images, and the meaning are all wonderful. It promotes tolerance without the heavy-handed approach that some books take by simply presenting the reality that children are all different, and yet are bound by love and youthful innocence, and that *that* is a beautiful thing. I highly recommend this book.

I am an art teacher in an elementary school. Each year I read the series of three Angus books (in the order they were written) to my first graders when we are folding an origami puppy. They love each book. I introduce the Scottish Terrier by showing the encyclopedia entry about dogs. This gets them excited about dogs AND the encyclopedia. By the third book, Angus Lost the children can hardly stand it - they are so excited. They cheer at the end. We look at the dog entry again in the encyclopedia to find the collie that Angus meets on the wide road. (These children don't know Lassie!) We compare the sizes of the dogs, etc. The books offer a view into the past: suspenders, hedges, and the milk man, but the story is current, the illustrations lovely. In Angus and the Cat the children whoop with delight over the illustration of Angus looking out the second story window looking for the cat. All three books are great read-alouds!

I love all the Angus books. Having owned a Scottie dog, I am particularly thrilled with the illustrations - they are so accurate. I used to read these to my daughter when she was a child & am now buying them for all my friends' little kids. I'll keep my set forever. The stories are so endearing.

My 1.5 year old is already a fan of this book. We bought it because she's fascinated with ducks. The realistic illustrations and complex sentences are a nice change of pace from most of her more recently published children's' books. The story has a bit of intrigue, a quick pace, and a humorous ending. It's just perfect.

This is a wonderful book for children or for any age. Subtle and beautifully written, and perfect artwork.

I think this (or Make Way for Ducklings) was my first library book. At any rate, it starated me on a lifelong love of reading--and dogs! The illustrations capture every nuance of a dog's body language--you can practically feel Angus' warm little tummy as he stands up to reach something high. The story is not babyfied, but, as another reviewer indicates, is told with an intelligent vocabulary. Build vocab early!
I treasured my Angus book and each time my mom took me to the library (years and years and years ago), I confounded her by ALWAYS adding the same old Angus book to my pile of borrowings. I hope I will OWN them all one day!

Let me state upfront that I picked this book up in kind of a hurry, not knowing much about it, other than "early-30s woman finally finds true love with older guy (mid-40s)". So imagine my surprise when I started reading this book.

In the first third of "The Geography of Love" (310 pages), author Glenda Burgess retells how she unexpectedly found true love with Ken, a man 14 years her senior, someone who had lost two previous wives (one to a car accident, another to a (potentially suspicious) murder, of all things. It made me turn the pages, and when at one point Ken says out of the blue "I can't do this anymore", when the couple had 2 small children, I feared the worst (as in: he wants to leave the marriage). But Ken was referring to a corporate job he didn't want to do any longer.

After that, the book takes a completely unexpected turn, and where the book really takes off. Ken is discovered to have a cancer of some sort, and the second half of the book deals with how Glenda and Ken are dealing with this. This is when the book becomes a devastating read. I found myself choking back a number of times, particularly in the last 50 pages or so. Separate but simultaneously with all this, the author brings a great portrait of other family members, including in particular her challenging relationship with her mother. In all, I was very taken by this book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

In my view, one cannot read too many love stories. I struck out for forty years, suffering a devastating early divorce after nine awful years. Then one day my wonderful Ginger came into my life. That was a quarter century ago. I have always credited my ability to be ready for my wife's sweet love because I took the time to read great stories about relationships. That's why I have called A Thousand Summers, by Garson Kanin, my favorite book along those lines--until I read Glenda Burgess' memoir, The Geography of Love. Glenda's book will be a part of me, and a part of my relationship tools for the next twenty-five years. Maybe beyond!

With her beautiful skill with the English language, Glenda has shared with us the experiences of many lifetimes. It touches on so many aspects of our life journey with clarity, honesty, and wisdom. It shows how unconditional love can transcend and overcome the many hurdles and difficulties that life throws at us, how even the most difficult burdens can ultimately enrich us, how to live and cherish the present moment even as we cope with the deep echoes of the past and the uncertainties of the future. Thank you Glenda for this gift.

This book is utterly amazing. A memoir that reads like a novel, it tells the story of the kind of love we all dream of finding in our own lives, a love that truly transcends death.

Not only that, it is the story of a woman's difficult relationship with a difficult mother who is prickly and hard to love. No one has the luxury of focusing completely on a romantic partner--the rest of our family inevitably intervenes in some way.

Glenda's honest and unsparing account of her challenges in dealing with her mother, who falls ill while Glenda is also facing her beloved Ken's cancer, will ring true for any of us who have ground our teeth in our role as the "adult child". She brings that same honesty to her wrestling match with the realities of Ken's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the effects on their marriage.

Her love story will amaze you, move you to tears (lots of them), and make you turn to the one you love and tell him or her how precious it is to love and be loved.

A stellar reminder that we all have only moments to live, and moments to love.

Glenda Burgess, 30, a former U.S. State Department management analyst, leaves her job and returns home to Spokane, WA. By coincidence, she meets Ken Grunzweig, a 44-year old software executive in a café and falls in love. She learns that Grunzweig has been married twice before - his first wife died in his arms in a tragic car accident. His second wife was murdered shortly after they were separated and Grunzweig remained under suspicion for murder. Despite the wide age difference, the dark clouds of his prior marriages and dealing with consequences of being a "hated" step-mother to Grunzweig's teenage daughter, Burgess plunges ahead in a leap of faith. Her instinctive bet is a good one as the relationship blossoms into a beautiful romance and the birth of two children. The second half of the book centers around her husband acquiring and fighting cancer and the struggle they face battling the disease - with a particularly moving finish.

"The two of us would crawl across the days on nothing but heart and will if we had to."

In the memoir, Burgess also examines her own life and her relationship with her Mother - yearning to give her Mother love and yearning to receive her Mother's love - and never fulfilling either - her hands outreached to give and receive - and the connection never made. Heartbreaking...

Burgess' writing is direct, clear and to-the-point especially in her telling of the rapid deterioration of her husband's health and how she copes with it.

"All around me were patients in some part of a cycle: a cycle of beginnings and ends, of treatment, of illness, even chemotherapy as a palliative, a merciful extension of the inevitable, a kindness. Here I finally understood the corrosion of cancer on the human spirit. Cancer was gunning for Ken in this very room."

There are some terrific insights in her darkest moments as she copes -

"I had recently come to the conclusion that all we can do is row the boat we're in. Greet each day with the best of intentions - it's not given to us to set the compass, chart the stars, or make life work for everyone we love. We aren't given that power or control. We are only given the grace of intention."

And another passage:

"Who does this? I wondered. Who chooses a place of rest even as they hope for miracles? Who squabbles between burial or cremation, vault or niche, the monument - what size, color? Who buys adjoining gravesites for their kids? Some bizarre idea to keep the family together?"

I felt that this story was being told to me by a good friend - turning the pages and living through every ache, pain and loss. I did long for her to fill more of the gaps - to gain a better understanding of how her husband dealt with the death of his first wife and why he loved her so - and how he dealt with the murder of his second wife and accusations leveled against him. To get a deeper understanding about her husband's daughter and how she struggled with the murder of her mother and her dying Father and what she thought of Burgess. And finally, why her Mother had such a difficult time expressing her love for her.

I agree with the author's comments on the back of the book jacket - this is a very personal and emotionally moving story - with intimate moments of her life put on paper "to give people license to dissect and critique it, or worse yet, disregard it." Glenda Burgess, your love story will not be disregarded and will not be forgotten.

This book is a great source which highlights SMALL changes we ALL can make that have a significant IMPACT on our home, our planet! There is so much we can do that is so easy and only a slight alterations to our current lifestyle. GO GREEN!

This book does a terrific job listing simple, practical eco-friendly practices that any household can adopt. Highly recommend!

This is a cute book with a great message. While many "green" books give you long list of dos and don't (mostly don'ts!), Green Chic goes further. Author Christie Matheson goes into great detail as to the why that making environmentally friendly choices makes a difference. She is not at all about appearances, but is definitely all about the change of mindset and attitude.

The best part of this book is that Matheson offers very doable tips to make small changes that almost anyone can handle that make a major impact in our world.
Go Green!

So far this book has some good stuff to say. I have doggeared some pages to remember when I have to buy replacement "green" items. Easy read for anyone wanting to improve their "footprint"

Just for starters im 23 yrs old, and am apart of the generation that is really catching on to green living. Im also a major "tree hugger" as my family would call me lol. I love to do anything i can to help our environment, and that includes getting family members to start doing it to. So i have over the past two years bought several books. This one is my absolute favorite! this is perfect for anyone around my age or younger who wants to start going green! In this book it felt like the author really got down to some honest things we do that are hurting our planet without realizing we are doing it! Her words are truly inspiring. I thought i had this whole green living completely figured out, The author points out some things that im even guilty of. This book gave easy, simple and effective soulutions to living green without huge efforts or spending alot of money. The author of this book did a amazing job. I am so Happy i found this, i have three friends who went out and bought it and are now doing their part to live green. I have given it to two friends as part of their birthday gifts and they got back to me and told me they had finished it in less than two days. Fair price for such a Great Book! buy this book! you wont be let down.

Due to the size of this book, many would simply think of it as a coffee table photography book. While the photos are quite stunning, all captured by Davis himself over the last 25 years in the field, it is the text that is the real gem. Davis currently researches as a National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence, but his career has led him to very remote areas of the world to learn about the distinct "ethnosphere", and the modern phenomenon of these vanishing cultures. With amazing detail, gathered first-hand and through interviews, he discusses his research in British Columbia, the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, the Amazon basin (Peru, Brazil, Ecuador),lowland Orinoco settlements in Venezuela and Colombia, Haiti, Malaysia, Kenya, Tibet, Australia, and Nunavut (among others with less detail). He notes that great effort has been put towards protecting biodiversity, while cultural diversity, as well as language is being lost everyday. With nods to many of the great anthropologists and scientists of the 19th and 20th century, he recognizes that modern nations can enrich themselves by accepting and encouraging the inherent diversity, "not as failed attempts at modernity", but as new opportunities to see the human experience in full color.

So few modernists understand the depth and sophistication of traditional knowledge. Wade Davis is such a refreshing exception

Wade Davis is both an exceptional anthropologist and an exciting writer. The remote and unique cultures that he records in this work give us home bound and over-weight readers a glimpse of hope in the human potential that we all share. We may not be able to travel as he has but through his vivid and engrossing writing, we can celebrate the human spirit that he has witnessed first hand. The special people he introduces to us see the world in different lights, sounds and smells than we do from our homoginized world view. We need to understand these cultures as a way to balance our own as we try to look beyond it to find new ways to meet the ever changing reality of our existence.

Wade Davis' long career among isolated peoples and cultures has given him an enviable insight. He manages to connect with people at many levels. They are free and open with him, an obvious outsider. Their stories, legends, life modes all come to light under his gentle persuasive powers. In this outstanding account of his travels and his studies, we share much of what he and his mentors have learned.

The primary message in this book is how cultures vary with their environments. Worldwide, Davis notes, only about five per cent of humanity live in areas relatively untouched by European intrusion. They are scattered, often living in what we deem as "savage" or "desolate", yet they survive and flourish when allowed. Hardly rigid in outlook, these people have learned well how to adapt to changing conditions. They have come to know just how to deal with what Nature has provided. Centuries of experience are put to use on a daily basis, following seasonal and other variations. Their knowledge of the local plants in particular has stood them well, and they have much to offer us. Davis describes how this has developed in many regions, with the Amazon basin an area of his special interest.

Davis acknowledges two special influences in his work - David Maybury-Lewis, his tutor, and Richard Evans Schultes who had spent many years in the Amazon area. Davis followed them, but as his study interests grew, so did the range of his travels. North of the Amazon Basin, he enters the mountains of Columbia to learn the ways of the Kogi and Ika people. He takes us to Northwest British Columbia, where the Grizzly retains a meagre residual territory and meets Atehena [Alex Jack] to learn the ways of the shamans who formerly operated there. In lands once part of the Inca empire, he learns the uses of coca leaves - both social and medicinal. Haiti possesses numerous cultures, many with strong ties to the African homeland. That continent's sad history of imperialist intrusion probably created more artificial "national" boundaries than any other region of the world. Such intrusion causes displacement and Davis is witness to the shamanic rituals of a people only recently forced into a nomadic life.

The author concludes his narrative by describing two areas as opposite as one could imagine - the Red Centre of Australia and the snowy reaches of the Canadian Arctic. He recounts the utter innocence of the European invaders in both regions. British explorers and colonists suffered heavily as a result of their failure to understand how "primitive" people could survive better than "well-equipped" Victorians with their advanced technology and ideals of superiority. As elsewhere, long centuries of experience taught the Aborigines to find water in unlikely places and the Inuit to travel lightly and efficiently. Only in modern times have researchers arrived at an understanding of what "primitives" accomplished.

As he freely confesses, however, the work has only begun. This book is not only informative about how indigenous people have survived conditions deadly to us, but provides pointers about how to apply their knowledge for the benefit of us all. Medicines are but one step in what can be adapted for our use. And more Wade Davises are needed to do the tasks before us. Those new scholars, however, must go to those people to learn, not to change their ways to conform to ours. That would be artificial and self-defeating. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

As far as I'm concerned, Davis is a five-star writer across the board. Not only does this man have more scientific knowledge than he knows what to do with, but he writes about people and plant life with equal flawless prose. This is a good 'starter' book for those who have not yet read him (or, who only heard of "The Serpent and the Rainbow"). His intense interest in, profound respect for indigenous cultures and their people quite obviously generate the trust and knowledge he receives in return. Like his beloved mentor, Harvard's Edward Schultz, he will literally go to 'the ends of the earth'and stay however long it takes so that he may absorb and understand what he finds there. His descriptions (and direct experience)of psychotropic's from the jungles and their place in the culture, should be read by the multi-national plunderers - as well as those whose only frame of reference is Timothy Leary. The natural world around them provide every, single necessary item of life and sustenance for the people. The huge, central-to-life importance of the Shaman is masterfully illustrated. It should be obvious that I cannot say enough in praise of Wade Davis. Go and discover him for yourself, get lost in the wonder of his world - and marvel . . .

In "Listening to the Land", environmental activist Derrick Jensen converses with Terry Tempest Williams, Ward Churchill, Starhawk, and other visionary ecological thinkers on a broad range of vital issues, like: ecofeminism, wilderness preservation, resource depletion, bioregionalism, and Native American liberation. For activists working to stop the corporate plunder of our planet, defend indigenous peoples, and protect endangered species, this book is an inspirational read. It will encourage you not only to resist the destructive forces of industrial patriarchy, but to live in deep relationship with one's landbase. The coho salmon, the panda bears, the monarch butterflies, the tropical rainforests, and the coral reefs depend on our love (just as we, in turn, depend on the living earth).

This book is very well written and a wonderful collection of essays. For anyone that enjoys a well written essay with regards to the future of our planet, the environment or the total disregard that so many humans currently have to the planet - this is an excellent read.

I like this book and re-read it occasionally. The reviews with individuals are helpful in gettin a semi-diverse opinion of the troubles of our world. Some interviews are definately better than others so do not expect all interviews to blow you away. I have marked 10 or so and come back to these occasionally in order to re-inspire myself.

This book by Derrick Jensen was moving and inspiring. It presented a wide variety of viewpoints on environmental topics in a very personal dialogue format. This approach worked to reach the heart as well as the head. I found every section interesting and had a difficult time putting the book down.

This title is also informative and presents a full spectrum of opinions in original form from the mouths of the speakers who represent -- environmentalists, theologians, Native Americans, psychologists and feminists. In addition to reaching the heart, the material stimulates deep inquiry on the part of the reader. It is not in anyway superficial, quite the contrary!

The organizing principle of the book is the theme of loving the land and living in harmony with it. A thread that pervades every section is finding peaceful ways to live in harmony with the environment. It does not look to assign blame, but rather to seek peaceful solutions to the increasingly complex environmental problems that are plaguing all of us on the planet.

In my opinion, this is a must read for anyone interested in the environment or in reestablishing a deep connection to the land. If I could rate it a six I would. I got more from this book than I ever expected and have shared it with many people. I wish every voter and person having anything to do with making public policy read it, preferably on a camping trip.

If your a fan of Derrick Jensen's work you will definately see where he has gotten a lot of the foundations in his thinking.

This book is centered on the question if we we're not happy destroying the landbase that keeps us alive, and gives our inner world substance, than why are we doing it? Jensen than goes on to interview thinkers from many different fields to discuss this phenomenon.

This book is interesting and full of a lot of useful information. I find myself constantly going back through it and referencing interviews that I have found profoundly important.

Definately worth reading!

John Boyer never fails to make the learning experience a fun one. I can't recall enjoying a textbook in my leisure time before picking up Plaid Avenger's World. Not only will you boost your global IQ and increase your knowledge of your world neighbors, you'll learn an exciting new drink recipe for every chapter! Who else could combine alcoholism so flawlessly with an undying love for global justice?

A EXCITING GEOGRAPHY BOOK THAT IS BOTH REVOLUTIONARY AND EDUCATIONAL. JOHN BOYER IS GENIUS. HIS WAY OF EXPLANING HOW THE WORLD EVOLVES DEFIES ANY OF TEACHING I HAVE RECIEVED AT COLLEGE. IM SO GLAD THAT HE WAS ABLE TO FINALLY SHARE HIS KNOWLEDGE THROUGH THIS TEXTBOOK. I HIGHLY RECOMMAND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO WISHES TO EXPAND THEIR INTELLECTIAL PROPERTY. I LOVE THIS BOOK AND YOU WILL TOO!!

This book is A-mazing! It keeps you reading and do I dare say...Interested in what is going on in the world and it's history. Also, the writer (John Boyer) is the man, I took his class...and I feel like I have learned sooooo much.

The Plaid Avenger really does break the textbook mold. Most of the time, I try to read my textbooks, and end up falling asleep at my desk. This book, however, is incredibly informative about the world we live in, and manages to keep the reader awake, paying attention, and even laughing. So what if there are a few expletives and references to alcohol? This is a book that will actually be read by students, and will provide a much-needed understanding of the world as they prepare to go out into it. I know I won't be selling back my copy after exams...

This book is MONEY! I have never read a textbook this amazing. I read this book just for fun. I recommanded this book to my friends in other colleges. This book is packed with so much useful and up to date informations, you will feel as if you traveled every corner of the earth. I highly recommand this book to anyone, even to all the geography teachers!!

Over the Andes and through the jungle to ineptness we go. A quite humorous account of science gone jumbled. But not all is lost here.

In 1923 eight scientists plus the author venture through the South American mountains and rainforests to make further discoveries in their respective fields of study. Touted as, "The most perfectly equipped expedition that has ever started to explore South America", it quickly unfolds into a blundering journey with many problems and mishaps.

Thanks to MacCreagh's sense of humor and wit we see how every imaginable incident went from bad to worse. One by one these scientists quit the expedition to forsake the author and one other to travel up the remote Uaupes and Tiquie Rivers meeting face to face with hostile natives. What transpires is a remarkable short term study into the culture of these indigenous peoples.
Entertaining read.

I am enjoying this travel account very much. It's like Bertie Wooster goes to the jungle.

Mr MacCreagh has maganed to write an outstanding book based on a rather unsuccessful expedition. It is the tale of an expedition of eight eminent scientist in the Amazon, who were put together not for their ability in the outdoors, but for their scientific knowledge.

The author is a helper/manager of the expedition. He manages to describe the expedition from its beginning in the Bolivia highlands out to the Amazon plains and to its disintegration. It is quite clear that the scientist were not sure what to expect, and so had not prepared accordingly. Huge volumes of luggage went unused and were a huge burden. Egos and discomfort made the scientist into bickering children and inept explorers. The author masks their names because apparently these were well known figures of their time.

There is a bit of scientific content in the book, but clearly the main reason to read it is for the good humor of the author in describing the situations they get themselves in. One learns more about people and how they behave when taken to extremes than one does about the Amazon.

When your read of other expeditions and how well they were conducted, then you read Gordon MacCreagh's humorous account of a mistake-ridden expedition into the Amazon, and you may wonder how this could happen. Clearly, the leader of MacCreagh's expedition was no Roy Chapman Andrews. Too many mistakes with both men and equipment. It is a humorous, often hilarious account of how not to conduct an expedition into the Amazon -- or anywhere else. I found it to be much better than Peter Fleming's "Amazon Adventure" and somewhat better than Arthur O. Friel's "River of Seven Stars," which has not been reprinted. MacCreagh's sense of humor and keen observations are what place this book at the top of my list of exploration/expedition books. I found it difficult to keep from sharing portions of this book with family and friends...

I can't believe you can get this book used! I own three copies and I don't even loan it out. This is a terrific expedition book and a wonderful book about being human. My family was thrilled to know that this book was being re-issued. Like one of the other reviewers, I was brought up knowing who the various scientists were because my father had worked with a colleague. It gave us plesure to know the names, some of whom were quite well known even today. It was also nice to know that at least for the eminent icthyolgist and the eminent entomologist the work that they produced from this expedition was very useful. I have recommmened this book countless times, and get copies for friends I really like.

This book gives a unique glimpse at not only the history of cartography, but also the various purposes maps can serve. For maps lovers, like myself, the material is a window into other worlds of ancient knowledge thru beautiful illustrations and clear text.

informative, beautiful, fun ... what more can i say ... one of my favorite coffee tables books ever!

Cartographia: Mapping Civilizations - this book was purchased as a present for a member of the family turning 70 years of age - a learned man, keen on history, who already had many books, etc. He was absolutely delighted with this book. I had to search for it, but it was a worthwhile purchase, and one not found in Australia. I thoroughly recommend this book to young and old - it is a book which captures your undivided attention for hours.

I saw the author on C-Span2 and ordered the book immediately. I was not disappointed. This is a gorgeous and informative book about the history of maps and how they reflect our understanding of the world in which we live. Anyone who has ever enjoyed the beauty of maps or has wondered how maps were made before aerial photography will love this book.

"Cartographia," by Vincent Virga and the Library of Congress is an amazing volume that explores in depth the development of the art of cartogtraphy, map-making, from ancient times to the present. This handsome, over-sized, volume with full color photos of beautiful and rare maps throughout the ages, is a must-have for anyone interested in history, geography or maps.

The book is arranged in sections divided by region of the world (i.e. Mediterranean, Europe, the Americas, Asia, etc). The text is extremely informative, well-written and engaging, while also very concise and focused. The map photos are absolutely breath-taking! Apparently the U.S. Library of Congress map collection contains more than 4.8 million original maps, and more than 60,000 atlases from ancient times to the present- which is absolutely incredible in and of itself!

Some of the maps and sections I found most interesting were: the early maps of the "New World," with all their interesting speculations and inaccuracies; the maps of Egypt- both by the ancient Egyptians, as well as maps made by Napoleon's early 19th century expedition and others. This magnficient volume also includes some early road and transit maps made right around the time that the national highway system was beginning to take shape across America in the mid twentieth century.

I highly, highly recommend this excellent volume- not only for the amazing maps and excellent text, but also for a sense of perspective of how maps have been shaped by human cultural perceptions of those in power throughout the ages. It is also a great book for parents with school age children, or to display as a living room, coffee table conversation piece. Pick this one up, and enjoy!