Map Addict by Mike Parker Print
Written by Peter Burgess   
Monday, 08 June 2009

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Is Peter Burgess a map addict or just easily confused?!
Map Addict?
When I opened Map Addict by Mike Parker, I didn't realise I would read it in two sittings.  Undoubtedly it was the geographer in me that had me enthralled and salivating over all the map related trivia that was presented.  Initially we hear about Mike's childhood love of maps, from his time spent shop-lifting them from his local OS Map supplier, to the later addiction which he happily announces at the start of the book.  From chapters describing the history of the Ordnance Survey, the downfalls of 'prat nav' as he calls in-car satellite navigation systems to a whole chapter entitled 'Carto Erotica', I was addicted to Mike's book.  Whether I am biased due to my professional affiliations, I think many within the OFC would find this account of maps particularly interesting.  It is obviously not your normal novel or fell-related guidebook, but would dovetail into anyone's outdoor book collection sitting comfortably between your W.T. Palmer and W.A. Poucher guides!

An idiosyncratic book about maps. A definitie read
Are maps really a drug?
In all truth, apart from a very few pages, I was captivated by the whole account and found myself sniggering especially during the aforementioned 'Carto Erotica'!  Mike Parker might well believe he is a breed apart but I imagine, like me, there are many within this club who can relate to his cartographic love affair.  I would recommend a read to ignite your appreciation of maps.  We might sometimes forget, but maps are part of the course and without them some of us would never have explored the high places in the way we have.  Mike Parker has certainly confirmed that I too might be a map addict with many hundreds of cartographic publications buckling my shelves but where might you fit in on this scale?  I think you should read this book and find out.

 

BAA Rating:full rating point full rating point full rating point full rating point no rating point  [4 / 5]

 Map Addict by Mike Parker is published by Harper Collins Publishers Ltd., 2009.  (UK £12.99)  Seen available from Amazon for £8.74.  

 



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