Mapping and Imagination in the Great Basin: A Review

Mapping And Imagination In The Great Basin: A Cartographic History

by Richard V. Francaviglia

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25193 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Paperback	:	298 pages
Item Weight	:	15.5 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.75 x 9 inches

FREE

David Buisseret's book, Mapping and Imagination in the Great Basin, is a fascinating and comprehensive exploration of the history of cartography in the Great Basin region of the United States. The book is divided into three parts, each of which examines a different period in the history of cartography in the Great Basin.

Part I: The Early Period (1540-1800)

The first part of the book examines the early period of cartography in the Great Basin, from the arrival of the first European explorers in the region in the mid-16th century to the beginning of the 19th century. This period saw the creation of a number of important maps of the Great Basin, including the first map of the region by Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540. Other important maps from this period include the map of the Great Salt Lake by French explorer Pierre-Jean de Smet in 1859 and the map of the Humboldt River by American explorer John C. Frémont in 1843.

Buisseret argues that the early maps of the Great Basin were heavily influenced by the imaginations of the explorers who created them. These explorers often had preconceived notions about what the Great Basin should look like, and they often depicted the region in ways that reflected their own expectations. For example, many early maps of the Great Basin show the region as being much more mountainous than it actually is. This is likely because the explorers who created these maps were expecting to find a rugged and mountainous region, based on their experiences in other parts of the American West.

Part II: The Middle Period (1800-1869)

The second part of the book examines the middle period of cartography in the Great Basin, from the beginning of the 19th century to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. This period saw the creation of a number of important maps of the Great Basin, including the first detailed map of the region by American explorer Jedediah Smith in 1827. Other important maps from this period include the map of the Great Salt Lake by American explorer Howard Stansbury in 1852 and the map of the Colorado River by American explorer John Wesley Powell in 1869.

Buisseret argues that the maps of the Great Basin from the middle period were more accurate than the maps from the early period. This is because the explorers who created these maps had more experience in the region and were able to use more sophisticated surveying techniques. However, Buisseret also argues that the maps from the middle period were still influenced by the imaginations of the explorers who created them. For example, many maps from this period show the Great Basin as being more fertile and habitable than it actually is. This is likely because the explorers who created these maps were eager to promote settlement in the region.

Part III: The Late Period (1869-Present)

The third part of the book examines the late period of cartography in the Great Basin, from the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 to the present day. This period saw the creation of a number of important maps of the Great Basin, including the first topographic map of the region by the United States Geological Survey in 1879. Other important maps from this period include the map of the Great Basin by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1942 and the map of the Great Basin by the National Geographic Society in 1995.

Buisseret argues that the maps of the Great Basin from the late period are the most accurate and detailed of all the maps of the region. This is because the cartographers who created these maps had access to more sophisticated surveying techniques and more detailed information about the region. However, Buisseret also argues that the maps from the late period are still influenced by the imaginations of the cartographers who created them. For example, many maps from this period show the Great Basin as being more desolate and uninhabitable than it actually is. This is likely because the cartographers who created these maps were influenced by the prevailing view of the Great Basin as a barren and inhospitable region.

David Buisseret's book, Mapping and Imagination in the Great Basin, is a valuable contribution to the history of cartography in the United States. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of cartography in the Great Basin, and it offers a unique perspective on the role of imagination in the creation of maps. The book is well-written and well-researched, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of cartography or the history of the American West.

Mapping And Imagination In The Great Basin: A Cartographic History

by Richard V. Francaviglia

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	25193 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Paperback	:	298 pages
Item Weight	:	15.5 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.75 x 9 inches

FREE