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Review
`Hewitt tackles the subject exuberantly ... The sweep of its history has true grandeur' --The Times
`An endlessly absorbing, lively and informative narrative that highlights the Ordnance project's legion of draughtsmen, surveyors, dreamers and eccentrics' --Observer
`An extremely handsome and scholarly account of the genesis of the OS map' --Sunday Telegraph
`A diligent and very detailed book. She has done justice to a neglected subject and to neglected but worthy men' --Daily Mail
`A remarkable story of human endeavour in the name of Enlightenment values'
--Metro
`An endlessly absorbing, lively and informative narrative that highlights the Ordnance project's legion of draughtsmen, surveyors, dreamers and eccentrics' --Observer
`An extremely handsome and scholarly account of the genesis of the OS map' --Sunday Telegraph
`A diligent and very detailed book. She has done justice to a neglected subject and to neglected but worthy men' --Daily Mail
`A remarkable story of human endeavour in the name of Enlightenment values'
--Metro
Product Description
"Map of a Nation" tells the story of the creation of the Ordnance Survey map - the first complete, accurate, affordable map of the British Isles. The OS is a much beloved British institution, and "Map of a Nation" is, amazingly, the first popular history to tell the story of the map and the men who dreamt and delivered it from its inception in 1791, right through to the OS MasterMap of the present day: a vast digital database. The Ordnance Survey's history is one of political revolutions, rebellions, and regional unions that altered the shape and identity of the United Kingdom over the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It's also a deliciously readable account of one of the great untold British adventure stories, featuring intrepid individuals lugging brass theodolites up mountains to make the country visible to itself for the first time.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
204 of 208 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love maps and the OS map above all. This book describes how the Ordnance Survey came to be and its turbulent early history.As the author says '...the national mapping agency has established a secure place in the affections of the modern British public'. An institution indeed.
Hewitt explains how the Ordnance Survey grew from the Highland uprisings as the Hanoverian forces tried to explore the wild territory in which the clansmen lived and indeed hid. Ironically it was a lowland Scot, William Roy of Lanarkshire, who led the team that criss-crossed the rugged terrain - so rugged that even today there is little point in using any online map service other than that supplied by the OS and only harveys have seen fit to challenge the OS in providing useful maps to take with you into the hills.
The Lowlands followed the Highlands, as did England, and with increased pressure from the French eventually it became necessary to know where we were, and where the fiendish French might come from. Enter William Mudge.
Crazy name but driven guy. It was Mudge who plotted the triangles across southern England, oversaw their publicationa as maps, with the first instalment, 'an Entirely New and Accurate Survey of the County of Kent with Part of the County of Essex'. produced in 1801. It took 69 years to produce all of the first series and that is where this story ends.
If there is one criticism of the work it is that there are no racy or scandalous stories to tell. No tales of financial skullduggery or loads of people being killed as they hang from a mountain top with their theodlyte. These were serious men so it is hardly the author's fault that there is little here for those looking for "drama". What you DO get though is an interesting tale of trigonometrics, of the history of Britain and of a national obsession that has left a lasting legacy of the best mapping system in the world.
It is no coincidence that I have written one of my longest reviews for this book. Everyone who has, or intends to, walk in this still largely beautiful country; Anyone interested in the history of Britain; Anyone who just loves maps, should buy this book.
Hewitt explains how the Ordnance Survey grew from the Highland uprisings as the Hanoverian forces tried to explore the wild territory in which the clansmen lived and indeed hid. Ironically it was a lowland Scot, William Roy of Lanarkshire, who led the team that criss-crossed the rugged terrain - so rugged that even today there is little point in using any online map service other than that supplied by the OS and only harveys have seen fit to challenge the OS in providing useful maps to take with you into the hills.
The Lowlands followed the Highlands, as did England, and with increased pressure from the French eventually it became necessary to know where we were, and where the fiendish French might come from. Enter William Mudge.
Crazy name but driven guy. It was Mudge who plotted the triangles across southern England, oversaw their publicationa as maps, with the first instalment, 'an Entirely New and Accurate Survey of the County of Kent with Part of the County of Essex'. produced in 1801. It took 69 years to produce all of the first series and that is where this story ends.
If there is one criticism of the work it is that there are no racy or scandalous stories to tell. No tales of financial skullduggery or loads of people being killed as they hang from a mountain top with their theodlyte. These were serious men so it is hardly the author's fault that there is little here for those looking for "drama". What you DO get though is an interesting tale of trigonometrics, of the history of Britain and of a national obsession that has left a lasting legacy of the best mapping system in the world.
It is no coincidence that I have written one of my longest reviews for this book. Everyone who has, or intends to, walk in this still largely beautiful country; Anyone interested in the history of Britain; Anyone who just loves maps, should buy this book.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having just finished reading the book I thought I'd my two pence worth. I would agree with some of the lower scoring comments made. This isn't a full blown biography of the OS from inception to date, and therefore the title isn't accurate. It is instead an early history of the OS, covering the period pre-OS and how it came into being and its early years up to completion of the first series, looking at the key characters and activity. So if you're looking for how they put together Mastermap, or created the National Grid, this isn't the book for you.
Saying that, I really enjoyed the book, its clearly well researched, and if you're interested in how they went about starting to map the whole country from scratch, without GPS's, aerial photography, satellites and computers to piece it all together, then this is an interesting book. The characters, their drive and vision, the influcence of maps on thinking and thinking about maps and the advancement of our relationship with our country it's fascinating. Although google maps are ubiquitous, on a storm day out on the hills having an OS map in your pocket (and compass) is reassuring. Just spreading one out over the living room floor and exploring the map is fantastic. And this book covers how the OS came about, who we have to thank for the maps we have today. What the map makers had to go through say mapping Scotland lugging the theodolite around with them and up and down hills is pretty astonishing (health and safety would probably prevent us from repeating the feat today). Their aims at times of not just creating a map, but a record of the country.
It is, as the author admits, based on her Masters and PhD work (and why not, she passes on a lot of knowledge), which does show through with the copious notes and references and yes at times the tone of the book wavers in between an academic tone and a popular history tone, however at no point is it unreadable or overly academic and actually is very readable throughout.
So on balance quite a good read. If you're into maps, mapping and OS (and who doesn't love the OS), you'll find this book interesting and informative. If however you're looking for a history of the modern OS, not just early history I'd suggest you look elsewhere.
Saying that, I really enjoyed the book, its clearly well researched, and if you're interested in how they went about starting to map the whole country from scratch, without GPS's, aerial photography, satellites and computers to piece it all together, then this is an interesting book. The characters, their drive and vision, the influcence of maps on thinking and thinking about maps and the advancement of our relationship with our country it's fascinating. Although google maps are ubiquitous, on a storm day out on the hills having an OS map in your pocket (and compass) is reassuring. Just spreading one out over the living room floor and exploring the map is fantastic. And this book covers how the OS came about, who we have to thank for the maps we have today. What the map makers had to go through say mapping Scotland lugging the theodolite around with them and up and down hills is pretty astonishing (health and safety would probably prevent us from repeating the feat today). Their aims at times of not just creating a map, but a record of the country.
It is, as the author admits, based on her Masters and PhD work (and why not, she passes on a lot of knowledge), which does show through with the copious notes and references and yes at times the tone of the book wavers in between an academic tone and a popular history tone, however at no point is it unreadable or overly academic and actually is very readable throughout.
So on balance quite a good read. If you're into maps, mapping and OS (and who doesn't love the OS), you'll find this book interesting and informative. If however you're looking for a history of the modern OS, not just early history I'd suggest you look elsewhere.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let's make no bones about. This is an interesting book about a well loved institution. It seems to be a well researched book about a well loved institution. It will probably be bought by people like me who really enjoy looking at maps - almost any map, anywhere, and they will find,. as I did, many interesting things within in its many pages.
But let's also be clear about what this book is about: its about the origin of the Ordnance Survey and the production of the First Series of One Inch to the Mile maps (plus a few other things if the truth be told). It's not, as its title claims, of biography of the Ordnance Survey. It is a story that stops in the 1870's.
You will find few references to the Landranger Series of maps, or the Pathfinder series, or the 1:25000 Tourist Maps of the Lakes or the Dales. You won't find the beautiful One Inch to the Mile Map of The Lake District. In fact, you probably won't find any of the maps that people use today at all.
You will find a detailed and at times rather slow moving account of the early days of the OS, but that is all you will find. Oh, you will find a few mistakes as well - grid references do not identify a "point" in the landscape, they identify an area, which is why we say "I will meet you at the bridge at XXXXXX". Pillar in the Lakes is called "The Pillar", which is a strange mistake given that there is an extensive account of how the original map makers made sure they got the names of places correct.
This is a book with serious intentions - about 20% of the pages are taken up with references, but it is a history of the first 100 years of the OS, not an account of its whole history.
If you know this before you read the book, and you still want to read the book, you will find it excellent. But if, like me, you wanted just a hint of modernity, you may find it all just a little too academic and a little too distant.
Proceed with caution
But let's also be clear about what this book is about: its about the origin of the Ordnance Survey and the production of the First Series of One Inch to the Mile maps (plus a few other things if the truth be told). It's not, as its title claims, of biography of the Ordnance Survey. It is a story that stops in the 1870's.
You will find few references to the Landranger Series of maps, or the Pathfinder series, or the 1:25000 Tourist Maps of the Lakes or the Dales. You won't find the beautiful One Inch to the Mile Map of The Lake District. In fact, you probably won't find any of the maps that people use today at all.
You will find a detailed and at times rather slow moving account of the early days of the OS, but that is all you will find. Oh, you will find a few mistakes as well - grid references do not identify a "point" in the landscape, they identify an area, which is why we say "I will meet you at the bridge at XXXXXX". Pillar in the Lakes is called "The Pillar", which is a strange mistake given that there is an extensive account of how the original map makers made sure they got the names of places correct.
This is a book with serious intentions - about 20% of the pages are taken up with references, but it is a history of the first 100 years of the OS, not an account of its whole history.
If you know this before you read the book, and you still want to read the book, you will find it excellent. But if, like me, you wanted just a hint of modernity, you may find it all just a little too academic and a little too distant.
Proceed with caution
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A thorough investigation that peters out half way to the destination
An exhaustive and humbling investigation of the early pioneers of the Ordnance Survey, whose heroes suffered many hardships to forge the intricate framework for the maps we take... Read more
Published 16 days ago by J. Brazier
Title is a misnomer
This book should have been called "Map of a Nation - Biographies of some of the Key Players in the Early Ordnance Survey"
The writer skips blythely over any technicalities -... Read more
The writer skips blythely over any technicalities -... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mark Davies
In-depth history, with diversions, but very readable
This is a very readable in-depth work, with the size of the section on notes and works cited giving it an academic feel. Read more
Published 1 month ago by G&MR
Over-romantised history of early days of the OS
This book looks like an extension of the authors doctoral thesis "Ordnance Survey and Romantic Culture", two subjects which like "Chocolate Bunnies and Lawnmowers" have so little... Read more
Published 2 months ago by hoppynet
Only Half the Story
Map of a Nation. A Biography of the Ordnance Survey by Rachel Hewitt. Granta Publications.
"A brilliant book and its astonishing that on one has thought of writing it... Read more
"A brilliant book and its astonishing that on one has thought of writing it... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jess of Bowland
Not impressed.
I hoped for much better than this book offered. A good one quarter of it was dedicated to references, etc. Then, once I read about the author's biography it seemed to make sense. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Peter Hamilton-scott
Map of a Nation: A biography of the Ordnance Survey
The content of this book is an excellent read for anyone who is interested in maps produced by the Ordnance Survey - ie the best maps in the world. Read more
Published 3 months ago by scarylady1
A little disappointing
I've always loved maps, and find geography absolutely fascinating, so this book was something of a must-have for me. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Peter Lee
One for the real enthusiast
I bought this being a fan of maps, map reading, orienteering and the like. I had recently read Tristan Gooley's 'Natural Navigator' and wanted to delve into the whole map thing a... Read more
Published 5 months ago by AKC
140 years of history missing
She does a good job of making some probably rather dreary surveyors come to life. Much time is spent on Scotland and Ireland, less on England or Wales. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Paul Danon
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