Historical Atlas of the United States: With Original Maps
Hayes, the writer/compiler of the America Discovered and Historical Atlas of the Arctic, presents a fine mix of research, design and craftsmanship in this collection of maps "from 1492 to 9/11." This is history "in comprehensive form from the unique geographic perspective allowed by the study of original maps," and a perfect holiday gift treat for the map, travel or history buff. The volume is packed with maps and dense with text. Beginning with "the First Peoples" maps, the book covers a wide swath of U.S. history, including the early settlement at Jamestown; an "improved" Pennsylvania (improved by the arrival of European settlers, that is); a map of the "shot hear round the world" in Colonial Concord; a slave's map to the Underground Railroad; a bird's eye view of Manhattan just after the Brooklyn Bridge went into service; and strategic maps from American military campaigns in Europe, Vietnam and Iraq. The text, though not as fascinating as the cartography, does a more than adequate job of explaining the role maps played in America's history. As a bonus for those who want to peer in depth (or who simply find the volume a tad overwhelming), each map is available online for a closer, cleaner peek. Photos.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.