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Visions of the World: A History of
Maps Jeremy Black |
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Visions of The World charts the exploration
and mapping of our planet - from before the age of printing to modern
satellite imaging, telling the stories of the cartographers, explorers, and
surveyors who have mapped our world. The book takes a fresh look at the
history of cartography, not limited to the traditional Eurocentric view, but
exploring the world visions held by cultures from all around the globe. The history of
mapmaking is also the history of how different societies have viewed
themselves to the rest of the world. Early Chinese maps placed The age of the great
explorers of the 15th century, coupled with the momentous
inventions that followed it, finally allowed the world to be viewed as it
actually is. Visions of the World also explores the way
maps have been used, either to distort knowledge, by surveyors who simply
imagined the interiors of uncharted lands, or by warring nations to fool
their enemies. They have also been used to build and administer empires, to
show the world from different cultural and economic perspectives. And lately
to map the rapidly changing physical face of the planet. With fascinating
feature spreads on the key maps throughout history, and detailed discussions
of their significance, Visions of the World is a
refreshing and thought-provoking history of the world cartography. Jeremy Black is Professor of
History at He is the author of
numerous titles including Maps and History, Maps and Politics, War for |
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