The Centuries

Lonely Planet review

OK, it's a little on the stodgy side, with its selection of 19th century lithographs and old maps. But wait. Flip through the inventory (all of it well organized by theme, date or locale) and you just might find yourself slowing down to look things over. It's like perusing a historical coffee table book, with no cheesy reproductions. Particularly interesting are the 'Civil War' and 'Black History' sections.

And if you're the type who likes to ride shotgun so you can while away a drive studying a detailed highway map, then you're sure to be absorbed by the ancient maps here, beautifully drawn with outdated demarcations and occasional glaring cartographic errors.