As the author makes clear in the opening paragraph of the introduction: "maps are an indispensable resource" in finding out about our ancestors communities and homes - and sometimes - their lives.
Maps are made for a wide variety of reasons, whether it's to encourage people to a new place (thereby illustrating the new land larger and with more resources than the old world) or to map disease, it's important to understand the purpose so you can understand how it's relevant to you and your family history. Many people made many maps and some of those people and some of those maps don't reflect the reality of the times - therefore other maps (earlier, contemporary, or later) may need to be read to judge the strengths and weaknesses of the map in question. The author does a good job of explaining the reasons a map may be either useful or somewhat lacking.
Each chapter discusses the type of map in question and then talks about notable cartographers that made these maps and their reputation. Often there is a case study to work us through what a map can tell us and how we can interpret our findings - this in particular is very helpful in making the maps accessible to a beginners such as myself.
Each chapter closes with a section on 'Locating the maps'. There are very few links to web resources, which illustrates just how few maps are available online. But the author suggests archives that hold the maps discussed (often the local record office) and also other books that offer a deeper look the type of maps the chapter dealt with.
There are also boxes of interesting facts, such as in the Tithe Maps and awards chapter. We're old that around 15% of the tithe maps were sealed as 'First class', this meant that they were suitable for use in legal cases!
I haven't done much research on my English ancestors as yet, but this book has made me feel like when I do working with maps won't be a problem!
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