Classics in Cartography

Book excerpt: Classics in Cartography provides an intellectually-driven reinterpretation of a selection of ten touchstone articles in the development of mapping scholarship over the last four decades. The ‘classics’ are drawn exclusively from the international peer-review journal Cartographica and are reprinted in full here. They are accompanied by newly commissioned reflective essays by the original article authors, and other eminent scholars, to provide fresh interpretation of the meaning of the ideas presented and their wider, lasting impact on cartographic research. The book provides an equal balance of influential articles from the past and current commentaries which highlight their impact and current context. Read in combination the original ‘classic’ articles and these new reflective essays demonstrate how cartography works as a powerful representational form and explores how various different aspects of mapping practice have been conceptualized by an influential set of academic researchers. Collates ‘classic’ articles from four decades of the journal Cartographica Brings key articles up-to-date with contemporary interpretative essays by the leading scholars in mapping research Themes covered are the epistemological of mapping practice, the ontological underpinnings of cartographic representation, and the contested societal implications of maps Evaluates the progression of the field of cartographic research and demonstrates how new theoretical ideas originate, develop and circulate Provides a signpost for students and new researchers on the key articles in cartography to read and reflect upon