About the book
In the age of MapQuest and GPS, we take cartographic literacy for granted. We should not; the ability to find meaning in maps is the fruit of a long process of exposure and instruction. A “carto-coded” America — a nation in which maps are pervasive and meaningful — had to be created. The Social Life of Maps tracks American cartography’s spectacular rise to its unprecedented cultural influence.
Between 1750 and 1860, maps did more than communicate geographic information and political pretensions. They became affordable and intelligible to ordinary American men and women looking for their place in the world. School maps quickly entered classrooms, where they shaped reading and other cognitive exercises; giant maps drew attention in public spaces; miniature maps helped Americans chart personal experiences. In short, maps were uniquely social objects whose visual and material expressions affected commercial practices and graphic arts, theatrical performances and the communication of emotions.
This lavishly illustrated study follows popular maps from their points of creation to shops and galleries, schoolrooms and coat pockets, parlors and bookbindings. Between the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, early Americans bonded with maps; Martin Brückner’s comprehensive history of quotidian cartographic encounters is the first to show us how.
Editions of The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469632605
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469632629
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890851796
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469632612
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890851789
Read an Excerpt
In the age of MapQuest and GPS, we take cartographic literacy for granted. We should not; the ability to find meaning in maps is the fruit of a long process of exposure and instruction. A “carto-coded” America — a nation in which maps are pervasive and meaningful — had to be created. The Social Life of Maps tracks American cartography’s spectacular rise to its unprecedented cultural influence.
Between 1750 and 1860, maps did more than communicate geographic information and political pretensions. They became affordable and intelligible to ordinary American men and women looking for their place in the world. School maps quickly entered classrooms, where they shaped reading and other cognitive exercises; giant maps drew attention in public spaces; miniature maps helped Americans chart personal experiences. In short, maps were uniquely social objects whose visual and material expressions affected commercial practices and graphic arts, theatrical performances and the communication of emotions.
This lavishly illustrated study follows popular maps from their points of creation to shops and galleries, schoolrooms and coat pockets, parlors and bookbindings. Between the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, early Americans bonded with maps; Martin Brückner’s comprehensive history of quotidian cartographic encounters is the first to show us how.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860 about?
In the age of MapQuest and GPS, we take cartographic literacy for granted. We should not; the ability to find meaning in maps is the fruit of a long process of exposure and instruction. A “carto-coded” America — a nation in which maps are pervasive and meaningful — had to be created. The Social Life of Maps tracks American cartography’s spectacular rise to its unprecedented cultural influence.
Between 1750 and 1860, maps did more than communicate geographic information and political pretensions. They became affordable and intelligible to ordinary American men and women looking for their place in the world. School maps quickly entered classrooms, where they shaped reading and other cognitive exercises; giant maps drew attention in public spaces; miniature maps helped Americans chart personal experiences. In short, maps were uniquely social objects whose visual and material expressions affected commercial practices and graphic arts, theatrical performances and the communication of emotions.
This lavishly illustrated study follows popular maps from their points of creation to shops and galleries, schoolrooms and coat pockets, parlors and bookbindings. Between the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, early Americans bonded with maps; Martin Brückner’s comprehensive history of quotidian cartographic encounters is the first to show us how.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Historical geography
Where can I read a sample of The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469632605
How long is The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860 and how many pages does it have?
The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860 has 384 page(s)
Is The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860 part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Published by the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of North Carolina Press
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860?
Martin Brückner
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860 is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469632605) and ebook(ISBN 9781469632629) and ebook(ISBN 9798890851796) and ebook(ISBN 9781469632612) and pdf(ISBN 9798890851789)
Where can I buy The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860 online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860 from below
Where can I buy The Social Life of Maps in America, 1750-1860?