What do you think?
Rate this book
Historical Atlas of California: With Original Maps
Using nearly five hundred historical maps and many other illustrations―from rough sketches drawn in the field to commercial maps to beautifully rendered works of art―this lavishly illustrated volume is the first to tell the story of California's past from a unique visual perspective. Covering five hundred years of history, it offers a compelling and informative look at the transformation of the state from before European contact through the Gold Rush and up to the present. The maps are accompanied by a concise, engaging narrative and by extended captions that elucidate the stories and personalities behind their creation. At once a valuable reference and an exhilarating adventure through history, the Historical Atlas of California, featuring many rare and unusual maps, will be a treasured addition to any library. Distilling an enormous amount of information into one volume, it presents a fascinating chronicle of how California came to be what it is today.
Douglas & McIntyre
Douglas & McIntyre
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2007
1 person is currently reading
75 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 12, 2011
Hayes has put together different collections of historical maps. Some of these are pretty good. However, this is one of his weakest collections. He has lots of maps, in a very large book, but the maps are barely supported by the text. This title also includes the least number of non-atlas illustrations in any of his historical atlas series.
The writing was easy to follow and digest. In fact, it was enjoyable. I wanted to read more about each topic. The organization of the contents was equally good and logically arranged. However, there was a disparity between the illustrations and the text. For example, why include a partial illustration of the sea floor (somewhere off California) and not reference it in the text discussing moving and shaking? Presumably, it is a sign of technological progress characterized by Silicon Valley.
Most of the non-map illustrations were good and added to the text, especially in his coverage of colonial California. However, something was missing in the later periods where images appeared to be too small and unrecognizable. The bird's eye views of cities are a popular feature in historical atlases including this one. However, these appeared to be too small even though they are printed in an oversize book. Landmarks are barely recognizable, and readers need a magnifying glass to read it. Perhaps, few maps, larger images, more text, and more pages would have made this a better read. Overall, the book appears like a collection of random maps put together by an amateur who was banking on the success of his earlier works.
The writing was easy to follow and digest. In fact, it was enjoyable. I wanted to read more about each topic. The organization of the contents was equally good and logically arranged. However, there was a disparity between the illustrations and the text. For example, why include a partial illustration of the sea floor (somewhere off California) and not reference it in the text discussing moving and shaking? Presumably, it is a sign of technological progress characterized by Silicon Valley.
Most of the non-map illustrations were good and added to the text, especially in his coverage of colonial California. However, something was missing in the later periods where images appeared to be too small and unrecognizable. The bird's eye views of cities are a popular feature in historical atlases including this one. However, these appeared to be too small even though they are printed in an oversize book. Landmarks are barely recognizable, and readers need a magnifying glass to read it. Perhaps, few maps, larger images, more text, and more pages would have made this a better read. Overall, the book appears like a collection of random maps put together by an amateur who was banking on the success of his earlier works.
March 14, 2014
Received this great Historical Atlas of California as a Christmas gift a couple years back and find on occasion to use to reference something.. but find myself going back to it a few times this spring as I'm taking a history class. I sat down and looked at it from cover to cover last night and this morning. There are many and various maps that date back a couple hundred years, but my favorite are some lovely looking real estate promotion maps, 'birds-eye' view of the Los Angeles, the SF Bay area cities, including a couple maps of Berkeley!
While I won't say it's something I read.. I repeatedly go to it as it's very handy.. My only issue is some of the most amazing maps are difficult to look at even with a magnifying glass.. I know, maybe I need a different (more powerful) glass to observe with? ;) Regardless, the book is a keeper!
While I won't say it's something I read.. I repeatedly go to it as it's very handy.. My only issue is some of the most amazing maps are difficult to look at even with a magnifying glass.. I know, maybe I need a different (more powerful) glass to observe with? ;) Regardless, the book is a keeper!
August 3, 2012
Essential reference for anyone interested in CA history
October 18, 2012
Can study these historical maps of CA for hours. Love being able to compare them to modern CA.
September 11, 2012
Beautiful book--very glad to have this one in my bookshelf.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews