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ELEMENTS OF CARTOGRAPHY / Arthur H. Robinson, Joel L. Morrison, Phillip C. Muehrcke, A. Jon Kimerling, and Stephen C. Guptill. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995 (Sixth Edition). 674 pp. ISBN 0 - 471 - 55579 - 7. CAN$73.95.
The sixth edition of what is probably the most used and familiar cartographic text on the continent will find an immediate market, and is probably assured of success. While following the broad approaches so well established by previous editions, this is far more than just a simple updating; it is quite frankly a more useful product than any of its predecessors.
The late Randall Sale, who contributed so largely to earlier versions, has been replaced by two new authors, A. Jon Kimerling of Oregon State University and Stephen C. Guptill of the US Geological Survey. They join Joel Morrison and Phillip Muehrcke in a powerful team, advised and guided by the great man of North American cartography, Arthur Robinson. The changes they have made are extensive and very welcome.
In keeping with a text concerned with modern graphic communication, the visual organization has also been much improved, incorporating computer - based desktop design techniques that are far easier to read and to study. There is a high level of graphic illustration throughout, and extensive use of colour. Students will greatly appreciate the new format.
The authors have striven to reflect the changing nature of cartography, and their emphasis is to place the field within the context of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technologies. Cartography and GIS are deliberately linked throughout the work, and this aspect has led to extensive changes and additions from the fifth edition.
A greater variety of map types is considered, and a new emphasis on database issues has created several new chapters. Image - based mapping is well addressed and, surprisingly, such topics as surveying appear for the first time. Dynamic mapping, cartographic modelling, and global positioning all add significantly to the material included. A discussion of graphic file formats will prove a useful reference for those trying to integrate various available software packages.
Despite the wealth of new material, the work is actually easier to use. Topics are presented in shorter chapters and at two different levels. Technical discussions are...