The Coast Mappers [Hardcover]

Taylor Morrison (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

In the mid-nineteenth century, little was known of the west coast and waterways. The ships that sailed those waters did so at a considerable risk, sometimes depending on only a school atlas to navigate and all too often crashing into the rocks. So the U.S. Coast Survey, whose purpose was to map every mile of American shoreline, commissioned George Davidson to chart all of the major points on the coast and all of the waterways in between. In this beautifully illustrated book, Taylor Morrison chronicles the challenges and adventures Davidson and his team faced and the methods they used to accomplish this monumental, and essential, task.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-In 1850, George Davidson was selected by the U.S. Coast Survey office to map America's Pacific coast. During the ensuing years, he and his fellow scientists faced great danger and surmounted numerous difficulties as they doggedly sailed over rough waters and traveled through rugged terrain to record the necessary data. Creating a palpable sense of time and place, Morrison describes the frantic temperament and daunting economic realities of California during the Gold Rush, the difficulties of journeying to and working in remote locations, and the almost-hostile encounters between the explorers and the Makah and Nootka Indians. Cartographic methods are clearly explained through both the carefully researched text and the precise illustrations. In one example, the author relates how the surveyors used telescopes, star maps, and chronometers to determine the exact location of Point Conception. In another, he details how a topographer worked with a plane table and a stadia rod to map the features of Cape Disappointment. Varying between two-page paintings and smaller spot illustrations, the artwork clarifies the text, depicts the breathtaking beauty of the coastline, and adds a sense of adventure. This is an absorbing look at the science of cartography before the era of aerial photography and GPS, and at the dedicated men who risked their lives to chart the unknown.
Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-8. Morrison, whose previous books include Buffalo Nickel (2002) and Civil War Artist (1999), discusses the mapping of the Pacific coastline of the U.S. In the mid-1800s, the U.S. Coast Survey authorized a survey of the west coast, including the land along the coast and the unseen, but sometimes treacherous, land beneath the coastal waters. George Davidson took on the job with little funding but great determination and resilience. As Morrison explains how the surveyors pinpointed locations, distances, and landforms, he points out how modern technology aids in accomplishing the same tasks more quickly and accurately. Combining applied science with history and biography, the discussion follows Davidson and his companions through years of difficulty, danger, and discomfort as they work toward their goal. About three-quarters of the book comprises Morrison's astute and attractive paintings and ink drawings. While the many illustrations suggest a younger audience, their sophistication and that of the text are better suited to older readers. Extensive acknowledgments, a bibliography, and a glossary are appended. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; None edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618254080
• ISBN-13: 978-0618254088
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Coast Mappers, February 10, 2007

By 

Joseph C, Talbott "Hydrographer" (Anchorage, AK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Coast Mappers (Hardcover)

The Coast Mappers provides a thoroughly enjoyable historical record of the early survey of the west coast of the United States. It is clearly written as a Youth book but the content and artwork make it an excellent addition to any library or coffee table.