Rick B. (bup) -
Helpful Score: 4
I'm an easy sell on a book about maps - I love 'em. Electronic maps were my livelihood for ten years. My checks were faux antique maps. I had note pads made from surplus USGS maps. Still want map pajamas.
Nevertheless, this is a fun read.
Mostly what I learned is: there are a lot of odd ducks out there, whose love for maps has manifested in strange ways. Visiting points where latitude and longitude are nice even numbers, just because they're nice even numbers? Odd. (Although I looked up the closest one to me. It's at 42N, 88W).
Geocaching? Kind of odd.
Guys who visit interchanges and exits on the interstate system to see the new technology in the latest interchange? Really odd.
Others I get while acknowledging they're...unusual. Visiting every country on earth, but arguing incessantly about what constitutes a country (because, you kind of have to at that point). Drawing detailed maps of imaginary places. Framing subway maps as art (the Tube, and the Washington Metro - those are beautiful).
Reading about those odd ducks was great. Well, really, the book is about the unusual pastimes more than the ducks themselves.
Jennings' style is lightly humorous and breezy. I hope he writes more.
Nevertheless, this is a fun read.
Mostly what I learned is: there are a lot of odd ducks out there, whose love for maps has manifested in strange ways. Visiting points where latitude and longitude are nice even numbers, just because they're nice even numbers? Odd. (Although I looked up the closest one to me. It's at 42N, 88W).
Geocaching? Kind of odd.
Guys who visit interchanges and exits on the interstate system to see the new technology in the latest interchange? Really odd.
Others I get while acknowledging they're...unusual. Visiting every country on earth, but arguing incessantly about what constitutes a country (because, you kind of have to at that point). Drawing detailed maps of imaginary places. Framing subway maps as art (the Tube, and the Washington Metro - those are beautiful).
Reading about those odd ducks was great. Well, really, the book is about the unusual pastimes more than the ducks themselves.
Jennings' style is lightly humorous and breezy. I hope he writes more.
Marcia C. reviewed Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks on + 688 more book reviews
Utterly charming! So many different and entertaining angles on enthusiasms for maps and the history of maps. I especially loved the chapters on Geocaching (which I myself pursued avidly in the "oughts") and map thieves.
One minor complaint: Jennings generally writes in a lively style, but he indulges a bit too often in in-group puns or juvenile sex jokes.
This book would make a great gift for anyone who loves geography, traveling or maps.
One minor complaint: Jennings generally writes in a lively style, but he indulges a bit too often in in-group puns or juvenile sex jokes.
This book would make a great gift for anyone who loves geography, traveling or maps.
Sally T. (mapster) reviewed Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks on + 67 more book reviews
Mildly interesting.
