PRC, 2002, $24.95, ISBN 1-85648-650-8, 144 pages, oversize hardback

As a map fiend, I am always impressed with cartographic competence and creativity. So, you publish a book on WWI maps, and Bob’s your uncle.

However, before I go completely overboard, I should point out that I would have enjoyed a book twice the size (or more) then this 10” by 12” tome. You see, Forty plundered the British Public Records at Kew and has presented a wonderful overview of maps relating to WWI actions big and small. In fitting some of them into the confines of a page, many maps become awfully difficult to read. While I like to pour over a page, I would love to pour over a bigger page.

That’s plain greedy, and sure enough, I admit to being greedy when it comes to maps and books. If I could work my will, I’d make every military history book come with a huge 3’ by 3’ pull out map of the battle. And I’m sure the publishers would be apoplectic at the expense. But I digress.

Most maps include commander notations--units, advances, and other lines. Some are not maps, but charts, and a few pages include photographs of cartographic value. Most maps concern military affairs, but some political maps are included as well.

Now, a 250-page book with the usual map or two on a specific battle will be of more value than a 144-page book of maps covering all four years if all you want is information about a particular battle. But as an overview to the types of maps that were produced, Historical Maps of WWI is a gold mine of interest. The variety will astound you, the digging that Forty did should amaze you, and the guts of PRC to publish a book of maps demands respect. I've seen other titles in the series, so they must sell enough.

Forty includes 22 pages of text covering the war, belligerents, and aftermath. It’s a satisfactory survey, although another 22 pages of maps would have been even better.

All in all, it’s a wonderful book. Should PRC produce one for WWII, my suggestion would be make the pages twice as large, but otherwise, don’t change a thing.