Henry David Thoreau, one of America’s most prominent environmental writers, supported himself as a land surveyor for much of his life, parceling land that would be sold off to loggers. In the only study of its kind, Patrick Chura analyzes this seeming contradiction to show how the best surveyor in Concord combined civil engineering with civil disobedience.

Placing Thoreau’s surveying in historical context, Thoreau the Land Surveyor explains the cultural and ideological implications of surveying work in the mid-nineteenth century. Chura explains the ways that Thoreau’s environmentalist disposition and philosophical convictions asserted themselves even as he reduced the land to measurable terms and acted as an agent for bringing it under proprietary control. He also describes in detail Thoreau’s 1846 survey of Walden Pond. By identifying the origins of Walden in—of all places—surveying data, Chura recreates a previously lost supporting manuscript of this American classic.

Biography/Literary Criticism/Environmental History
192 pp. | 6 x 9 | 14 b/w illus.
ISBN 978-0-8130- 3493-5 cloth

192 pgs, HC, 82 Full Page Full Color Photographs
Surveyors everywhere know Berntsen for the company's survey markers and monuments. In itself, a monument is a ubiquitous piece of metal, concrete, stone, or whatever material happens to be available at the time, but Lasting Impressions goes far beyond that to tell intriguing stories of surveying. Gathered from Berntsen's years in the business, some involve the usual types of monuments surveyors deal with on land every day, but others go to exotic locales. From the frozen tundra of Alaska to inside caves to underwater, the book ranges far and wide in detailing some of the more complex and demanding surveying situations. Rhonda Rushing, president of the company, compiled the information with the help of contributors involved in the individual surveys, and in so doing, she delves into history and personal backgrounds. She views it as telling the story of America's history through the eyes of surveyors. The colorful photographs and concise text make this an ideal coffee table book sure to entertain and inform many surveyors and laypeople alike.

Written by Paul L. Gay, land surveyor and attorney, this book explains in everyday language, how surveyors establish property lines. The reader is taken through all phases of a survey, from legal research through setting final monuments. Topics include measurements and bearing systems, deeds and the recording system, field work and calculations and adverse possession and easements.

This book is unique among textbooks on land surveying in that it does not demand that the reader wade through pages of mathematical equations. Instead, the book explains in clear, easy to understand language, the technical aspects and legal concepts underlying land surveying. Because land surveyors often have to deal with missing or conflicting evidence, much of the book is devoted to the legal principles that govern boundary establishment.
The book was written for professionals who work in the area of real property. Lawyers, land surveying students, civil engineers, city planners, building officials, GIS practitioners, real estate agents and others will find that the book is not only informative, it will also provide them with a handy reference which can be turned to when confronted with an issue relating to boundaries.”

Hardcover; 107 pages

Note: Quantity discounts are available. Please call Angie TOLL FREE at 1-888-682-6101 for special pricing.

Relive the experiences of the USGS surveyors as they mapped America. Written by Abraham Anson, former topographic mapper with the USGS who went on to a distinguished career with the Corps of Engineers, the 101-page PDF book chronicles the trials and tribulations of the mapping crews as they labored, beginning in 1890, to map our country. Versions of two chapters from Anson's book have appeared in the magazine (February, 2000 and April, 2001). Many people have asked, "Just how did they create the quad maps?" and Anson's book answers the question.

101 pages, including 12 chapters + front matter On CD in PDF format

Price of $20 includes Shipping

View a complete description of the book in the four-page front matter by clicking here. (1MB pdf)