Stories and Storytellers discussion

What is the deal with maps in history books these days? It seems like you need Google Earth as a companion to your history book. Maps covering major wars or other historical events seem to be poorly drawn, and/ or missing critical locations described in the text of their books.

One example of this is Africa's World War: Congo, the Rwandan Genocide, and the Making of a Continental Catastrophe. One of the major cities where a pivotal battle occurred in the western Congo wasn’t even on any of the maps.

I long for the days when authors had far more thorough maps such as The Imperial Japanese Army: The Invincible Years 1941-42. This book had maps that clearly illustrated timing, operations, and regions.

Can anyone else opine as to why the quality of maps has gone downhill over the years?

I myself value maps, good maps, as useful additions to a book. Why is it so bad these days? Good question!