In his classic text; two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner John Noble Wilford recounts the history of cartography from antiquity to the space age. They are among the world's great pioneers and adventurers: the mapmakers who for centuries have been expanding our knowledge of who and where we are; and where we want to go. From the surprisingly accurate silk maps prepared by Chinese cartographers in the second century B.C.; to medieval mapmakers who believed they had fixed the location of paradise; through to the expeditions of Columbus and Magellan; John Noble Wilford chronicles the exploits of the great pioneers of mapmaking. Wilford brings the story up to the present day as he shows the impact of new technologies that make it possible for cartographers to go where no one has been before; from the deepest reaches of the universe (where astronomers are mapping time as well as space) to the inside of the human brain. These modern-day mapmakers join the many earlier adventurers—including ancient Greek stargazers; Renaissance seafarers; and the explorers who mapped the American West—whose achievements shape this dramatic story of human inventiveness and limitless curiosity.
#935199 in Books 2002-04-16 2002-04-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.51 x 1.28 x 6.42l; #File Name: 0375503285384 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A must read for anyone interested in the AntarcticBy KtanApsley Cherry-Garrard wrote "The Worst Journey in the World." This is the classic book of Antarctic exploration and a must read for anyone interested in that subject. Sara Wheeler brought to life the story of Apsley Cherry-Garrard from his boyhood as a spoiled well to do son of a retired British General who went to the best schools; studied the classics; and through a huge donation to the effort got himself assigned to Robert F. Scott's Antarctic expedition to be the first to reach the South Pole. From a young 24 year old with no real skills Garrard managed to become one of the most valuable members of Scott's expedition. A fascinating story.12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Worth the waitBy FrancesMI had heard some time ago that Wheeler was working on a biography of 'Cherry'. I was particularly interested because her 'Terra Incognita' is one of my favorite books about Antarctica. She is an excellent writer and did a good job there of inter-weaving her own experiences with some history of exploration in the area.Once again; I'm impressed with her writing ability. And; she does an excellent job giving us some insight into this conflicted; interesting man. I found the section on the publicity following their return to New Zealand fascinating. I knew that Cherry-Garrard castigated himself; for the rest of his life; about not having gone against orders by proceeding farther than One Ton Depot to look for the returning party. But; I had no idea how negative some of the comments/publicity were at that time. Those accounts gave me a better insight into how difficult it would have been not to be self-critical--even for someone who did not have those tendencies--as Cherry-Garrard certainly did.Wheeler also includes comments from others' diaries that I had not heard before. It is impossible to sort out everything now; so long after actual events; but there is a lot of 'grist' for the mill here. The accounts about Teddy Evans are interesting--more negative than I expected.I respect Wheeler's abilities as a researcher but I do keep in mind that no account can be entirely accurate now; looking back through the lens of time. And; on a wonderful trip to the Peninsula a few years ago; I heard an 'expert' sniff that Wheeler was not entirely up to snuff in terms of accuracy. This comment doesn't make me extremely doubtful about her findings; however; since she certainly convinces me when I take the 'whole' of her books.If you're interested in Antarctic exploration; Scott's last trip; or a piercing account of a gentleman of his time; get the book--you won't be disappointed.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent read whether you are into arctic stories or notBy angeldogExcellent read whether you are into arctic stories or not. Lots of details about the expeditions that were new to me. And many more about his later personal life.
