How to Lie with Maps
by Mark S. Monmonier · first published 1991
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Explains how map design choices such as projection, scale, classification and symbology can distort what a reader sees. Useful for building map literacy, for anyone who makes or reads maps.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Originally published to wide acclaim, this lively, cleverly illustrated essay on the use and abuse of maps teaches us how to evaluate maps critically and promotes a healthy skepticism about these easy-to-manipulate models of reality. Monmonier shows that, despite their immense value, maps lie. In fact, they must. To show how maps distort, Monmonier introduces basic principles of mapmaking, gives entertaining examples of the misuse of maps in situations from zoning disputes to census reports, and covers all the typical kinds of distortions from deliberate oversimplifications to the misleadin
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Every single map is inaccurate in a way, I suggest you read How to lie with maps by Mark Monmonier.
on “New Evidence Suggests Humans Arrived in the Americas Earlier Than Thought” ↗"How to lie with maps" by Mark Monmonier https://www.amazon.com/How-Maps-Third-Mark-Monmonier/dp/0226...
on “Ask HN: Which book can attract anyone towards your field of study?” ↗…map "wouldn't fit"; they are constrained by article layout. If you think the WP is simply trying to push the premise of the article, that there is a "Loneliness Epidemic", then you may enjoy the book `How to Lie with Maps` by Monmonier: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo274005...
on “The loneliest people (and places) in America” ↗It may be a bit challenging for a 7 year old, but get them to read “How to lie with maps” (https://www.markmonmonier.com/how_to_lie_with_maps__3rd_ed_1...) and set up something that allows them (possibly with some help from a grown up; I think tooling for this is still a bit nerdy) to make…
on “Ask HN: Resources for 7 year old interested in Geography” ↗…minimum adding State and County lines, and further, census place points for labeling. You've included some interesting filters that's for sure. And of course my usual plug for a great mapping book - How to Lie with Maps - https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo274005... I'd be willing to give you input.
on “Land Atlas – soil, farmability, and crop analysis for land listings” ↗…ignored everywhere else. Mapping is traditionally about sensemaking and placemaking. Precision and accuracy are two different things, and both are entirely context dependent. There's a famous book, How to Lie with Maps, all about it. Maps are how we take things from others by drawing a line in a different place, or how we explore boundaries by drawing what we know and wondering what's everywhere else. They are stories…
on “Build your own Google Glass” ↗