Geography: A Very Short Introduction

By David T. Herbert, John A. Matthews, John A. Herbert David T. Matthews, et al.

Book Overview

This Very Short Introduction answers four basic questions: what is Geography, how do geographers work, why is Geography important, and where is the discipline of Geography heading? Geography has always been important, though it has had only a short history as an academic discipline and is much misunderstood. Modern Geography has come a long way from its historical roots in exploring foreign lands, in mapping the world and in describing the physical and human features of the Earth's surface. There are two parts to the discipline: Physical Geography, which covers natural environments and landscapes; and Human Geography, which investigates people and the cultural landscape. Physical and human geographers commonly do not agree with each other. But there are also common elements and Geography as a whole has an important role as a bridge between the sciences and the humanities. Using wide-ranging examples, the book paints a broad picture of the current state of Geography, its subject matter, concepts and methods, how it developed, and its strengths and weaknesses. The book's conclusion is no less than a manifesto for Geography's future.

About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199211280
• ISBN13: 9780199211289
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, Incorporated
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.4" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Another great entry in the VSI series

Like the earlier reviewer of this book I noticed that the authors said John Glenn was the first man on the moon. However, I was not going to let that stop me from finishing it. I'm glad I didn't, because this was a great introduction to Geography. The book delves into area such as Physical and Human Geography and how they intertwine. Also covered are the tools used and a chapter on what the future of Geography might hold. A common theme in the book is that Geography is a very diverse subject and is really hard to pin down because so many new theories and branches of the discipline are evolving. While the authors cover this well I decided it is also the weakness of the book. They spend too much time reiterating this theme. I suppose it is important to the subject, but I found it repetitive. I will look into some of the further reading provided at the end of the book because my curiosity is piqued. I think that is a good sign of any book in the series of Very Short Introductions and that is why I give it four stars.