Metropolis: Mapping the City

This large-size book ambitiously sets out to present the history of city maps from Antiquity to the 21st century. It comprises a wide variety of maps of various sizes and scales. Presumably to avoid a graphic mish-mash, it appears the choice was made to generally subdue colours. Unfortunately, the overall result is visually quite bland.In addition, most of the time, the maps shown are too small for any interesting detail to be perceived by the reader. Worse, in one case (on page 190), the map is downright out of focus!Sadly, the author, a history expert who claims to have written over 100 books, lacks focus himself. In the limited amount of space devoted to text, he tries to discuss not only the history of mapping but also of cities and of urbanization. He does justice to none of these topics and only succeeds in displaying his lack of expertise in all three fields.Clearly, there is no reason to recommend this work to anyone.

Saw this book at the library. Every single page is full of intricate pictures that clearly illustrate the functionality of past matropolis'. Most pictures span both pages. My favorites are the 'Spread of the Black Plague' and 'Mongolian Army'. I just wish there were more editions of this book.

A fascinating examination of city maps from ancient times through The Renaissance, new world exploration, imperial periods, the tech age, global era, and even an examination of future mapping of the city. Beautifully packaged and produced, the maps are of high standard historically and visually. This is one that the map enthusiast, historian, or geographer in the family will love and want to pore over time and again. Highly recommended.

A beautifully produced book and well researched volume looking at a variety of map forms through which cities have been portrayed over the centuries including a number of "impossible views".

This gives every indication of having been hastily written. There are better books about cities and better books about the development of cartography. The text often has little connection with the seemingly random collection of maps; and many of the illustrations are very poorly reproduced: blurred images, illegible detail.

Intriguing, a magnifying glass is useful for extra perusal of the illustrations.