The Art of the Map: An Illustrated History of Map Elements and Embellishments by Dennis Reinhartz

by Dennis Reinhartz

This lavishly illustrated history of the golden age of cartography, from the sixteenth through the nineteenth centuries, explores not only the embellishments on maps but also what they reveal about the world in which they were created. Here there be monsters real and imagined; ships actual and archetypical; newly discovered flora such as corn and tobacco; fauna ranging from buffalo to unicorns; godlike beings and fantasy-like depictions of native peoples. The stunningly rendered images illuminate an entire world.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Cartography, Art, Maps, Geography

Hardcover

First published November 6, 2012

Reviews

[Kerfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there are some wonderful maps illustrated in this book--really how can you miss with reproductions of historical maps?--for the most part Reinhartz's book is unexciting. He approaches map-making through the additions mapmakers have made to geography--compass roses, ships, flora and fauna, savages, landmarks--but his text failed to engage me. It's always fun to look at maps though. Google the Vallard Atlas--fabulous.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is indeed an "illustrated history", but maybe a bit too much. At points it feels just like a catalogue of pretty pictures. Most text is just bits of facts about history. Not so much in the storytelling aspect.

That said, the book is absolutely beautiful, including scans, photos, overall design, font used, etc. I wish all books looked like this.

[Deb Shambrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations were interesting to look at.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this overview of the history of Western map making.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will open by saying that I am biased, Dr. Reinhartz was a favorite professor of mine at UTA. That being said this was a wonderful book, the illustrations were lavish and the explanations were great.

[Eva Parente · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 not what I was expecting but love this basic information on historical maps and looking at old map from the last world before us.