Maps in History (Watts Library)

Throughout history, maps have served as crucial documents for many civilizations. The ancient Babylonians created maps that showed waterways and land formations. Centuries later, maps based on the expedition of Lewis and Clark revealed the American West. Learn about how maps evolved through the ages and how maps are made today.

Children's Literature

Have you ever picked up a map and looked at it? The answer to this sophomoric question is probably, "Yes." If so, it is doubtful that the map you gazed upon impressed you as the technological marvel that it is. Maps are tools that appear simple yet represent a vast history of human work, investigation, and reflection. Each map has a history and that pathway has been marked by technological gains that impressed the cartographers of present and past ages. The value of a map is self-evident as any weary traveler can attest. Yet, people of the past set out on epic journeys armed with what we would, today, consider maps of the most wooden-headed nature. Author Walter Oleksy turns his attention to maps and the history of their development in this cleverly written, illustrated work. The author describes himself as a person with a keen interest in maps and the geographic tales they tell. That interest shows through in this particular book as Oleksy does a fine job of describing some of the keynote developments in the history of map making. Readers will come away from this well researched and aptly written book with a better understanding of the way in which maps have evolved as well as future directions in map construction. This is a fun book to read and one that tells a story that young geographers will enjoy. 2002, Franklin Watts, Romaneck