Mapping New York [Hardcover]

Black Dog Publishing (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 2009

Mapping New York is a fascinating and richly illustrated survey of the urban and social history of New York City. Features maps dating back to the sixteenth century, when New York was founded by the Dutch as a commercial trading post and became known as New Amsterdam, right up to the present day. Mapping New York provides a pictorial history of the city—contextualizing its time as a leader in commerce and one of the most built up urban areas in the world.
The maps are arranged thematically, focusing on the last two centuries, charting the city’s population, military history, transport, commerce and crime. The book includes a large range of maps including the latest satellite imagery, future projections on the growth of the city, iconic images such as the subway maps as well as artists’ representations. Mapping New York is an essential book for anyone with an interest in the city.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"an intriguing and fanciful overview" The New York Times
"This beautifully illustrated book appeals to more than the map fetishist or the academic" City Arts

From the Back Cover

Mapping New York is a richly illustrated documentation of the history of the city by means of the medium of cartography. Tracing the development of New York—from its inception as a Dutch colonial trade post, through periods of huge urban expansion, to the city’s current position as a global cultural leader—the book reveals the myriad uses of mapping and its potential as a document both historical and forward-looking, cultural and personal. Featuring over 150 images of the city and its Five Boroughs, Mapping New York is an enthralling and fascinating observation of an inimitable metropolis.
Taking a visual journey through the archaic, the informative, the decorative, and the sometimes obscure, Mapping New York reveals groundbreaking and insightful historical details through maps such as John Randel Jr.’s The Commissioners Plan and the early era topographic record of The British Headquarters Map. The Fire Insurance maps of William Perris and G.W. Bromley, as well as transit planning images such as the 1922 Third Avenue Railways System Map provide an intricate view of the city and how its services have developed.
The inclusion of more practical street information, and of commuter subway and railway maps,such as the seminal 1972 image by Massimo Vignelli, up to cutting edge re-designs by designers like Kick and Zero Per Zero, provide a perspective on the more day-to-day social workings of New York.Designs concerning unwanted municipal surveillance and the repercussions of nuclear attacks afford a darker commentary on life in the city. And finally, re-imaginings by notable artists such as Jonas Mekas and Aleksandra Mir document a more personal, abstract way into the cityscape.
With an introduction by Robert Neuwirth and Seth Robbins—New York residents and contributors to Time Out, The Nation, and The New York Times—Mapping New York is divided into thematic sections that consider history, services, everyday life, and re-conceptualizations of the city. As such, Mapping New York is designed to appeal to the reader with a casual interest in the city, whilst also providing the specialist cartographic enthusiast with new and engaging imagery.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog Publishing (October 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1906155828
• ISBN-13: 978-1906155827
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Cartography

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, August 30, 2010

By 

M. King (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mapping New York (Hardcover)

This is exactly what I wanted for insight in to mapping over the years. I also purchased a copy for a friend who was very pleased with the map history.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating history in maps, December 5, 2010

By 

Warwick C - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mapping New York (Hardcover)

This book is a well presented fascinating history of New York in maps.
It also includes some quirkier maps that make interesting perusal.
The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is that some maps are printed at a size which prevents adequate detail from being seen, even with a magnifier. On the other hand, the publisher has printed extracts of some maps at a larger scale so they can be easily seen, just not enough of them are treated this way.
Well worth the modest outlay for any map or New York history enthusiast.