OrangeReviewStarWorld histories related using various objects had "a moment" recently; one such title was Tim Bryars and Tom Harper's A History of the Twentieth Century in 100 Maps (see ow.ly/hM07304fNQJ). Readers who enjoyed that book, or who appreciate history with a visual slant, will also savor this more ambitious work that covers the world from 1500 BCE (a map of a Babylonian town on a clay tablet) to today's Google Maps. Included in between, in sections on various eras, are gorgeously reproduced images that illustrate the spirit of their times—in "The Age of Discovery," for example, are nautical charts. The entries, each accompanied by notes on the relevant historical period and on the map itself, fall into three categories: maps that show their makers' growing knowledge of the world; those that illustrate cartographic advances; and others that document political events. The maps also confirm the idea that winners write history: the entries were often created as tools of colonial expansion, or at least reflect a world in which colonial powers and their minions were the only subjects of cartography. VERDICT An absorbing browse as well as a valuable companion to history classes.—Henrietta Verma, National Information Standards Organization, Baltimore
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?