Atlas of Science: Visualizing What We Know Review

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(More customer reviews)Katy Borner's Atlas of Science is a large format, richly illustrated book introducing satellite views of science from above. With the importance of data visualization as a reflection and new visual language for contemporary culture, having a better sense of this similar but entirely new genre of Science Maps based on 'big data' is critical. Borner's book goes far beyond beauty by being the first Atlas of its kind. A highlight of the book is the "Milestones in Mapping Science" timeline covering 1930 to 2007 in 20 pages. The process, techniques and reference systems used in creating these highly refined maps are also described in great detail. So the book acts as a superb, highly visual introduction to the field for students, professionals and the general public. Another highlight: readers can access much of the material online in a companion site. High resolution images, all references, the history of the atlas, and events are all linked from [...] - Enjoy!

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Cartographic maps have guided our explorations for centuries, allowing usto navigate the world. Science maps have the potential to guide our search forknowledge in the same way, allowing us to visualize scientific results. Science mapshelp us navigate, understand, and communicate the dynamic and changing structure ofscience and technology--help us make sense of the avalanche of data generated byscientific research today. Atlas of Science, featuring more than thirty full-pagescience maps, fifty data charts, a timeline of science-mapping milestones, and 500color images, serves as a sumptuous visual index to the evolution of modern scienceand as an introduction to "the science of science"--charting thetrajectory from scientific concept to published results. Atlas of Science, based onthe popular exhibit, "Places & Spaces: Mapping Science," describes anddisplays successful mapping techniques. The heart of the book is a visual feast:Claudius Ptolemy's Cosmographia World Map from 1482; a guide to a PhD thesis thatresembles a subway map; "the structure of science" as revealed in a map ofcitation relationships in papers published in 2002; a visual periodic table; ahistory flow visualization of the Wikipedia article on abortion; a globe showing theworldwide distribution of patents; a forecast of earthquake risk; hands-on sciencemaps for kids; and many more. Each entry includes the story behind the map andbiographies of its makers. Not even the most brilliant minds can keep up withtoday's deluge of scientific results. Science maps show us the landscape of what weknow.

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