Cartography: Thematic Map Design

Rating:
Summary: Cartography: Thematic Map Design Review
Review: Dent has compiled and written the most comprehensive book on all aspects of thematic mapping. This book gives cartographers concepts not only of map making, but a concise exercise in artistic and informative cartography.

Through this book, Borden Dent describes that elements necessary for outstanding map layout and design based on audience comprehension. The use of techniques and methodologies cartographers need to understand and utilize are explained extremely well in this book.

Cartography: Thematic Map Design is a definite must for anyone in the field of Cartography or collectors of maps.

Rating:
Summary: Hopelessly Disorganized
Review: I had to use this book in two classes for my Land Use/GIS degree. The book's layout is rather confusing, and the information is not laid out in a logical manner. Headings and sub-headings are not apparent and do not follow a natural progression. Seems like the book was put together with a cut-and-paste method! The text is about as dry as a well-done pot roast. Good bedtime reading!
The primary purpose of map making is to guide the reader's eye to areas of importance, and to get the information across to the reader in a concise, interesting, and elegant manner. This book does none of these well.
The breadth of information, however, is quite good, hence the two stars. This is probably why it is used frequently by faculty.