Pricy in the hardcover, but over 400 pages , well illustrated and including eleven color inserts. I found this book as interesting and absorbing as Sailing From Byzantium by Colin Wells. It has a lot more information and ranges in history from Ptolemy (circa. A. D. 140) to modern times. It starts and ends with a detailed analysis of the Waldseemueller world map (1507). The map was published with a pamphlet “Introduction to Cosmography” by Matthias Ringman and Martin Waldseemueller. The pamphlet contained a letter by Amerigo Vespucci and was the first to use the name America. The book faded quickly but the name stuck. It also ends with an interesting discussion of Waldseemueller and his maps.
In between, the subject of maps is used as a base for wide ranging discussions of cosmology: theories of structures of the Earth and its relationship to the universe. Practical considerations of navigation gradually dictate more realistic maps and a more realistic idea of the structure of the universe. The interaction of the science if geography and religion is well discussed throughout the book.
The book is very well written and Lester maintains a lively interest in a complex subject which could easily have resulted in some pretty dull text. Lest kept me turning pages to find out what was next. This book is very highly recommended in either format.
