The Great World Atlas

Rating:
Summary: Best ever map, barring none
Review: I thought the National Geographic World map was pretty good, until I boght the DK version. As with almost everything DK, it is simply the best. The information is complete, well presentes and easy to follow. Don't let this book's massive size put you off. It is worth every penny and more.

Rating:
Summary: the geology nerd's first choice
Review: If you're looking to find a specific small town in Europe or Africa, the Times Atlas is better because more of its pages are devoted to road maps and the maps are more cluttered. This DK atlas devotes many of its pages to physical geography, inset explanations of interesting phenomena (e.g., Niagara Falls), and satellite photos. The night-time satellite photos are very useful because they show population density. The Great World Atlas is nice for planning trips, figuring out whether a potential vacation spot is near interesting geographical features such as a group of hills, and thinking about regions of the world.

This book would make a fabulous gift because of its lavish printing.

Rating:
Summary: the geology nerd's first choice
Review: If you're looking to find a specific small town in Europe or Africa, the Times Atlas is better because more of its pages are devoted to road maps and the maps are more cluttered. This DK atlas devotes many of its pages to physical geography, inset explanations of interesting phenomena (e.g., Niagara Falls), and satellite photos. The night-time satellite photos are very useful because they show population density. The Great World Atlas is nice for planning trips, figuring out whether a potential vacation spot is near interesting geographical features such as a group of hills, and thinking about regions of the world.

This book would make a fabulous gift because of its lavish printing.

Rating:
Summary: Atlas with a huge crack
Review: This atlas is a major disappointment. I received it as a gift and was very excited to start avidly pouring over the satelite images and maps. I have enjoyed other books by this publisher. Not only is this atlas unwieldy (many of the maps require that this huge book be turned sideways to properly view) but the crack down the center swallows up big chunks of the image, rendering the cartography all but useless. It seems that with a little advance planning and forethought the maps could have been oriented in such a way so that the information was legible. I guess I will attach legs and use it as a 'book coffee table.'