You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps of the Imagination

You Are Here is a collection of maps that transcend traditional cartography, featuring works by artists, architects, and dreamers who map personal experiences and inner worlds. The book contains over 100 visual representations ranging from medieval charts to contemporary art pieces. The compilation presents maps of imagined places, emotional landscapes, and abstract concepts that challenge conventional notions of geography. Harmon curates examples of mapping as artistic expression, including visualization of memories, desires, fears, and daily routines. Illustrations include hand-drawn neighborhood maps, data visualizations, satirical charts, and conceptual diagrams that document both physical and psychological terrain. Each entry includes context about the creator's background and intent. This exploration of personal geography demonstrates how humans use spatial thinking to understand their place in the world and make meaning of their experiences. The book reveals mapping as a universal impulse that extends far beyond navigation.

Readers appreciate this book as a visual exploration of personal and artistic map-making. Many note its value as a coffee table book that prompts repeat browsing and reflection. Multiple reviews mention the book's ability to challenge traditional cartography concepts. Likes: - High quality reproductions of unique maps - Mix of historical and contemporary examples - Thoughtful accompanying essays - Appeals to both artists and cartography enthusiasts Dislikes: - Some found the text portions too brief - Several readers wanted more context for certain maps - A few noted that similar images appear in other map art books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (90+ reviews) Notable reader comment: "Each time I open this book I discover something new - it's like a museum exhibition in print form." (Goodreads reviewer)

An Atlas of Fantasy by J.B. Post A collection of maps from imaginary worlds in literature presents cartographic interpretations of places from Oz to Middle Earth.

Everything Sings: Maps for a Narrative Atlas by Denis Wood The book maps unconventional aspects of a neighborhood in North Carolina, from jack-o'-lantern placement to radio waves, revealing hidden patterns of community life.

From Here to There: A Curious Collection of Hand-Drawn Maps by Kris Harzinski The book compiles hand-drawn maps created by people to explain directions, memories, and personal experiences through informal cartography.

Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas by Rebecca Solnit The atlas presents 22 maps of San Francisco that pair unexpected elements, such as butterfly habitats with queer spaces, to reveal connections within the urban landscape.

The Ghost Map by Steven Berlin Johnson The book follows the creation of a map that revealed the source of London's 1854 cholera epidemic, demonstrating the intersection of cartography, science, and urban life.

🗺️ Katharine Harmon curated over 100 unconventional maps for this collection, including maps of imaginary places, personal territories, and emotional landscapes. 🎨 Many of the featured maps were created by artists and writers who never intended their work to serve as traditional navigation tools, such as drawings of "The Land of Make Believe" and "A Woman's Heart." 📚 The book was published in 2004 and helped spark renewed interest in creative cartography and personal mapping as an art form. 🌍 Several maps in the collection explore deeply personal terrain, including one artist's representation of everywhere they've ever gotten lost, and another's diagram of all their romantic relationships. ✍️ Harmon went on to publish additional books about unconventional mapping, including "The Map as Art: Contemporary Artists Explore Cartography" (2009) and "You Are Here: NYC: Mapping the Soul of the City" (2016).