24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
travelling the states, March 26, 2000
By A Customer
my girlfriend and i used this road atlas as we embarked on a 6 month journey around our wonderful western united states. this road atlas helped us in everything: from finding great camp spots, to navigating our way through the madness of road construction in phoenix, az to finally meet up with an old college buddy. the roads are clear and well marked, it gives the feel of a topographical map, and gives good insight to the geography of the area. we did our research and found little to nothing that any other atlas contained that was not in the national geographic road atlas. this spiral bound road atlas is heads above the rest.
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27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The New Standard, September 22, 2000
I was a life-long Rand McNally atlas user until I met the 1999 edition of National Geographic road atlas. I liked it so much I bought the 2000 edition for the library I work in.
My name is Richard B. -- and I'm a mapaholic.
I've treasured maps since childhood. I read them, study them, collect them, and critique them. But my loyalty isn't to the scrap of paper that it's printed on, but to their representation of the world of roads. A map is only as good as it's first mistake -- if the next map has fewer mistakes [of towns, roads, or even graphics], it becomes the new favorite. In the case of National Geographic's road atlas, the great readability makes it the new champion.
I haven't gone counting for hamlets in obscure corners of the country (like I used to -- with my own hometown) to find mistakes or shortcomings. The difference was readily apparent the first time I opened it up. Imagine the design principles of Edward Tufte applied to a road atlas -- clean, legible design that doesn't interfere with the information being conveyed. My thirty-something eyes still read pretty well, but I appreciate the care that went into making these maps easier to use, including more detailed city and tourist destination maps, low gloss paper [unlike some of those European atlases I've used...], and an exceptional book design to aid navigation within the atlas itself.
Don't believe me -- you don't know me from Adam -- but trust your own eyes. Look at the atlases and road maps that you've used over the years (or, at least, kept stored in your car), and then compare what you see to the fresh design of National Geographic road atlases. See if you don't agree that they set a new standard by which the other atlases must now be judged. Happy trails to you, R.B.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
national geographic road atlas, May 7, 2001
As a professional over-the-road truck driver, I can tell you that there are maps and there are maps. While I still carry a current copy of another major road atlas published specifically for motor carriers, the one I use 95% of the time is the National Geographic. I am ordering the spiral bound 2001 today - have already worn out my 2000! These maps are concise, clear, and easy to read. Simply the best. John C.
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