Tracks on the Ocean

In 'Tracks on the Ocean,' Sara Caputo explores the history of how maritime voyages have been depicted on maps, from their first appearance on Renaissance maps to modern digital mapping.

The book delves into the cultural, historical, and environmental implications of these tracks, highlighting their role in European imperialism, modernity, and the attempt to master nature.

Caputo discusses how these tracks evolved from tools of surveying to tools of surveillance and environmental impact, reflecting a desire for order, schematization, and control over the ocean.