Diane L. Oswald

OK, I admit that this one is written in a slightly confusing style which is why I give it 3 stars (written as if some of the chapters were meant to stand alone such as articles submitted elsewhere -- chapters don't "connect" well with one another). In lieu of this, it is short and does give good information, including history about those wonderful maps we usually refer to as "Sanborn Maps" (even though there were other companies that also did fire insurance maps). Fire insurance maps are detailed maps of cities all across America showing the buildings, what types of businesses were in the buildings, construction materials and even roof design. Wonderful for those whose ancestors owned businesses in towns -- might be the closest thing you'll ever get to a photo. One cool map she includes can be found on page 92 -- this one is from Tombstone, AZ, 1886 showing the infamous OK Corral. However, I do disagree with her assessment that the map "refutes an eyewitness account" because it shows an 8-foot wall separating the Corral's yard (where shootout began) and Fly's Photo Studio (where witness supposedly was). Maybe the reproduction in the book isn't clear, but looks like a 6 feet wall around the "yard" to me. If Fly's studio was built above ground (which I feel like it was) then it would be feasible that a witness in the studio would have a pretty decent view of the yard. Regardless of this, if you want to know about fire insurance maps this is a good book for that.… (mais)