Adventures in Maps

(Hall, Bodleian, £25)

This beautifully illustrated volume has relevance to several different curriculum areas, containing as it does accounts of intrepid historical journeys that range from 16th century seafaring voyages to Arctic crossings and even the surveys undertaken to facilitate the moon landings.

There’s certainly some rich material here for maths, geography, English, science and history practitioners alike. Rather than being merely descriptive, the text goes into considerable detail regarding the challenges involved in drawing up maps and how closely those processes are tied to developments in new forms of travel.

The book’s ambitious scope makes for a delightful read, and a fascinating journey through the history of modern marvels like the national rail network, detailed road maps and robust air and sea travel.

Highly recommended.

This book was first reviewed in Teach Secondary magazine.

Images kindly supplied by the Bodleian