Customer Reviews

Cartography: Thematic Map Design

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

I think it's kind of ironic that this cartography book isn't in color. There's a whole chapter on color and it's in black and white. There's a few pages in the middle of the book with maps in color, but it seems kind of silly. For >$100, I want some color pictures.

I am a GIS student in the natural resources field. I had to use this book and was not all that thrilled with it, but that is because it is about cartography. I reluctantly admit that us GIS-ers need to know cartography, but we don't have to like it. For mapping, this book is a good one. It covers the essential points to topics such as dot, choropleth, graduated symbol and other thematic maps. It covers how to make them and what symbols should do for the reader, as well as how to design for your map reader. It also covers mapping theory and how it relates to typography, symbol placement, visual hiearchy and the use of color.

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.

this was a required textbook.
less expensive than campus book store.
like most textbooks, informative.

all aspects of the transaction were satisfactory.

Great book. Had to get it from amazon because our school book store screwed up and ran out. Ended up being much cheaper here.

I had to use this for a computer mapping class, except everything from the book was covered in the professors lab handouts in an even more logical and understandable fashion. Why professors must insist you buy the text book and then provide you with resources that render it obsolete is a mystery. This book was not cheap I caution you to be very careful before buying it you might not need it at all. As for if you have to rely on the book it's not terrible but there's nothing in the book that does not scream "generic textbook" if your skilled at utilizing text books it will help you, if not it will hinder you. Don't expect to get too much from it, some of it's instruction were very poorly written and you will need guidance from the professor to get through if it's your first GIS course.

The book is good. It came in good condition. I have no complains. Its as good as new one. Happy this time :)arpraku