In this concise introduction to the history of cartography, Norman J. W. Thrower charts the intimate links between maps and history from antiquity to the present day. A wealth of illustrations, including the oldest known map and contemporary examples made using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), illuminate the many ways in which various human cultures have interpreted spatial relationships.

The second ediion of Maps and Civilization incorporates numerous revisions and has new material added throughout the book.

"The premier one-volume history of cartography. . . . Maps and Civilization should be a close companion for anyone interested in maps: where they came from, where they are now, and where to go for more detail."—John P. Snyder, Mercator's World

Norman J. W. Thrower is professor emeritus of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles. His other books include Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Longer View of Newton and Halley and Sir Francis Drake and the Famous Voyage, 1577-1580.