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Singing the Trail

The story of Mapping Aotearoa New Zealand
By John McCrystal
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Brief Description
The very first maps, oral maps made by early Polynesian and Māori settlers, were waypoints, lists of places in songs, chants, karakia, and stories that showed direction. Hundreds of years later, Abel Tasman made the first attempt at a physical map; this was followed more than... Read More
Format: Hardback
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Beautifully illustrated with a selection of fascinating maps, Singing the Trail is the story of New Zealand through its maps - and the story of the explorers who made those maps.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The very first maps, oral maps made by early Polynesian and Māori settlers, were waypoints, lists of places in songs, chants, karakia, and stories that showed direction.

Hundreds of years later, Abel Tasman made the first attempt at a physical map; this was followed more than a century later by James Cook, whose more detailed map was made as he circumnavigated Aotearoa. Once the detail of the coastline was filled in, it was the turn of the surveyors, explorers, rockhounds, gold diggers, and politicians to negotiate the internal detail.

The story of these maps is also the story of Aotearoa New Zealand. Singing the Trail by John McCrystal unveils this fascinating journey through the evolution of mapping this remarkable land.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760633592

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 05 November 2019

Country: New Zealand

Imprint: A&U New Zealand

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 250.0mm

Height: 280.0mm

Weight: 1805g

Pages: 276

Collections

Aotearoa New Zealand History Best Sellers at Book Hero History & Archaeology History & Military In Stock Books John McCrystal New Zealand and Australia Published New Zealand History New Zealand Published Non-Fiction

About the Author

John McCrystal lives in Wellington with his partner, two children and a large, indefatigable dog. He has been working as a freelance writer since 1996, contributing to most of New Zealand's leading newspapers and magazines. Since publishing his first book in 1999, a biography of businessman Bob Owens, he has written, co-written or ghost-written over 50 non-fiction titles on a diverse range of subjects, including biography, social history, travel, sport and economics. He has also published a handful of short stories (some of which attracted national awards), a single radio play and (with broadcaster Graeme Hill) produced the very popular radio series, 'Shipwreck Tales'. Maps and charts have been a lifelong fascination.

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