All Over the Map: A Cartographic Odyssey by Betsy Mason & Greg Miller

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Created for map lovers by map lovers, this rich book explores the intriguing stories behind maps across history and illuminates how the art of cartography thrives today.

In this visually stunning book, award-winning journalists Betsy Mason and Greg Miller–authors of the National Geographic cartography blog “All Over the Map”–explore the intriguing stories behind maps from a wide variety of cultures, civilizations, and time periods. Based on interviews with scores of leading cartographers, curators, historians, and scholars, this is a remarkable selection of fascinating and unusual maps.

This diverse compendium includes ancient maps of dragon-filled seas, elaborate graphics picturing unseen concepts and forces from inside Earth to outer space, devious maps created by spies, and maps from pop culture such as the schematics to the Death Star and a map of Westeros from Game of Thrones. If your brain craves maps–and Mason and Miller would say it does, whether you know it or not–this eye-opening visual feast will inspire and delight.

my thoughts:

Maps are my jam. I have always loved the look of a worn out map - the kind with stains from coffee, little tears from refolding, and the faded print from the years spent using it on far-flung travels. I am all over those maps with the beautiful drawings of the ocean, trees, and churches on it - the ones from eons ago.  Those are my favorite - they seem to scream history to me. Plus, they remind me of the types of maps that people used to take when they were going on a quest, like in King Arthur (or Grimm - when Monroe and Nick head to the Black Forest in search of the keys).  My point is that I love maps.  I remember that I used to always get a new map when I would road trip back in college. I would head to the local AAA and grab a map - always my favorite part of prepping for a road trip. In fact, I still use paper maps when traveling even now. GPS machines or even the map app on my phone are just not for me. So, when I heard about Mason and Miller's awesome new book, All Over the Map, I knew that I had to get my hands on it. How could I not? A book about maps! I just knew that this book was meant for me.

And, I was right.  I absolutely LOVED All Over the Map!! Talk about a beautiful book chock full of unusual and fascinating maps.  This book has it all - maps of waterways, London's streets, the Grand Canyon, a map of Westeros (Game of Thrones) and a map of the Death Star (Star Wars).  How awesome is that?! I found myself poring over these gorgeously drawn maps and daydreaming about the places and people they represent. Cartography is a science, an artistry that is chock full of history, culture, and stories.  Mason and Miller share this history, when writing about the carefully selected maps that they have included in their book.  They take us on a journey through these maps and it is truly fascinating to learn about. I just loved getting lost in these images and these stories. All Over the Map is such a treat for cartographers and fans of maps (like me) - it is simply unputdownable. 

I would happily recommend this book to fans of maps, fans of National Geographic, and anyone looking for their next great read - you will just LOVE All Over the Map!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: All Over the Map

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!