I'm Always Going Somewhere: Mapping in Latin America for the Inter American Geodetic Survey

I read with great interest, the new book, "I’m Always Going Somewhere." It’s a vivid description of what life was like for a crew of Americans who explored, mapped and conducted a detailed geodetic survey in Latin America in the late 1960s. The project was literally filling in the blank spaces on the map. There’s some technical information for those who want to know more but not too much to spoil a good story. A number of photos in the book show how primitive their working conditions and equipment were at that time. There are several chapters from another team member as well as a chapter written by one of the wives. This book is great read for the armchair traveler to explore a little known piece of American history.

This book is a great read. It offers a glimpse into a little known part of USA history in Latin America. The individuals discussed in this book had to put up with tremendous hardships while performing their duties for the IGSW. These stories truly are "stranger than fiction." I highly recommend this interesting and informative piece of adventure non-fiction.

I know the author personally and can't believe he did so much. His writing style is much more than I would expect from only "such a nice guy." Good quick read.

I loved the book! Its written in such an entertaining way that I felt I was there:) My dad is Jack Rosholt and he was part of IAGS in 1952. He is retired and living here in Santa Cruz, Bolivia . I'm sure he would love to tell some of his stories.

What an incredible journey, physically and emotionally, this group had to endure! I felt like I was living each experience with them. They performed an invaluable service for these counties and lived to tell about it!! A great read!

If you have the urge to go and explore the jungles, mountains and savannah of Honduras, you should first read this excellent book on what to expect. In 1968 Paul Hauser, with his IAGS team of surveying professionals and supply support pilots, learned first hand how inhospitable it could be. The weather, the insects, the poisonous snakes and the crocodiles made the cartographers' life hell, not forgetting the occasional bandidos.Using the stories and experiences of fellow workers, the author has crafted chapters of drama and survival, including written input by Roald Bendixen who details his surveying in Guatemala, Columbia and Easter Island.Also, as a nice touch, the author has not forgotten the stories and cameraderie of the IAGS wives stationed in the Panama Canal Zone.

This charming little book gives readers a look back at a little known but important piece of U.S.history in the 60's and 70's that did notcontribute to war and exploitation. Instead it documents the adventures of a small group of civilians who were tasked with advancinggeographical knowledge of vast uncharted territories for both the U.S. and the countries involved.That they were young and undaunted by the challenges of the unknown and inhospitable landscapes they penetrated and seemed to have fun doing it adds to the fun of reading this narrative. No maps! They were creating them. No cell phones. No i-pads or laptops. No motels. Just bulky mapping instruments and primitive accommodations. And stories an friendships to last a lifetime.

I really enjoyed reading this book about how mapping used to be done. The stories about how these adventuresome men mapped the Latin American countries was fascinating. They dealt with rugged conditions, met wonderfully interesting people in the countries they worked in, and had fantastic adventures as they discovered new lands and created the maps we use today. This was a great lesson in how land was discovered and mapped. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the early adventures of geography and land surveying.