A beautifully written and illustrated academic (but written in a very approachable language!) book about maps: how they shape the world, how they shape our perceptions, who shapes them, etc. I appreciate the wealth of visual sources and the discussion of how maps are man-made and political, able to engrain a certain view of the world in the public's shared visual imagery. As an art historian, I appreciate how it's written from the perspective of a Professor of Geography (allowing me to learn something new) but deeply engaged in the visual material.

This book is a nerd for navigation's dream! Talk about seeing the world through a different lens or rather map. The author takes historical events and gives you a glimpse into what the world "looked" like during that time by comparing them with old maps. It is definately a humbling idea. Littered with stunning pictures of maps, obviously, this one is a wonderful book for those who love all things adventure but also academic.