Tracks on the Ocean

Tracks on the Ocean by Dr Sara Caputo offers an enthralling journey through time and space, inviting readers to explore the evolution of maritime navigation and its impact on world history. The book unravels a hidden narrative, charting how linear tracks on maps, from ancient routes to modern digital cartography, have profoundly influenced our understanding of the world.

Dr Caputo embarks on an oceanic voyage across centuries, tackling questions such as why we depict journeys as lines and what these representations signify. The narrative begins with ancient Greek itineraries, navigates through the daring expeditions of explorers like Ferdinand Magellan, and traverses the significant voyages of Sir Francis Drake and Captain James Cook. She examines the adventures and the scientific endeavours during the Age of Exploration, right up to the navigational feats recorded on twenty-first-century screens.

Tracks on the Ocean delves into the meticulous charting and mapping undertaken by the Royal Navy, showcasing how these maps were not merely tools of navigation but also instruments of power and colonisation. Dr Caputo reveals how these linear paths underscored promises of adventure, the allure of the unknown, and ambitions of empire-building. From the decks of Napoleonic warships to the boiler rooms of grand ocean liners, she paints vivid pictures of the lives intertwined with these voyages and the course of modernity shaped by them.

Felipe Fernández-Armesto praises the book as "ingenious," highlighting Caputo's exceptional skill in leading readers through complex historical landscapes with the assurance of an experienced guide. Similarly, Philip Ball lauds the book for being "accessible and entertaining, as well as deeply erudite and constantly mind-expanding."

With its blend of historical insight and engaging storytelling, Tracks on the Ocean captivates both casual readers and academic audiences. It offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between human endeavour and the vast, uncharted territories of the oceans, ultimately changing how we perceive maritime history and its significance in shaping the modern world.