Customer Reviews

The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis Volume 1: Geographic Patterns & Relationships

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You have to take this book for what it is. An extremely basic, starting point for any would-be GIS Analyst. The book contains wonderful examples of how one may use GIS to analyze "real world problems" using both raster and vector models. This book in essence shows people how GIS can be used to analyze problems, without specifically showing them how to analyze problems. I would recommend this book for people who are new to GIS analysis and IT managers who's departments use GIS. While this book will not demonstrate how GIS problems are solved, it illustrates what kinds of problems can be solved using a GIS, any GIS. This book, although it is published by a software company, is not a software manual by any stretch of the imagination (and it was not intended to be one). The examples can be replicated on any commercially available GIS package.

Note: Do not buy this book if you are an advanced GIS user, you probably already know most of what is contained in the book.

while it doesn't get into specifics about actually using any GIS software, this book explains in layman's terms the basics of spatial relationships. if you're ready to start getting beyond just making maps with GIS, this is an excellent place to start.

After reading "GIS for Everyone", which shows you how to do some basic things with GIS, this book shows you what to do. There's an ample supply of examples in this book, although somewhat repetative. The extensive use of color was surprising given the relatively low cost of this book compared to similar titles. Some of the GIS images are quite small and a small reading magnifier will help seeing the differences that, for example, changes in cell size can make in GIS images.

This book helps you make the transition from making maps to doing GIS analysis.

Some ESRI books are only extended marketing brochures. This is not. If you need a book that will help you understand GIS analysis, this is a great place. Mastering the techniques described in this book will cover 75% of the demands in the market. The book is referenced and so if you need more you can seek out the sources used to write the book.

This book is for GIS analysts, not for folks interested in building databases. This is an essential reference for GIS analysts. that is heavily booked marked and sits on the self near my desk so I can refer to it. It is useful for people starting out and experienced GIS users.

It is weak on network analysis and remote sensing. So look elsewhere for that.

This book presents concepts of analyzing spatial patterns include mapping where things are, mapping the most and least, mapping density, finding what's inside, finding what's nearby, and mapping change. Some of the best sections were tables comparing methods, for example: comparing standard classification schemes, contrasting mapping density versus building a density surface, methods to determine if features are inside another and straight-line distance versus network versus surface distance methods of comparing distance. There was no discussion of systematically analyzing variability in geospatial data, which would be important in understanding statistical differences. The section on mapping change surprisingly stayed away from discussions of level of trend.

Although good on concepts, this does not mention the specific tool in ArcGis or the various extensions. I would have appreciated some cross-reference to specific ArcGIS tutorial or help on methods to do these.

As a newcomer to GIS I was very disappointed with this book. It is purported to "be invaluable reading for the people encountering GIS for the first time". I'm afraid it is nothing of the sort. Doubtless, the author is very skilled and knowledgeable but I wonder about his target readership. It surely cannot be the uninitiated in GIS. If it is to be of any use to the beginner, Chapter 1 needs to be completely revised. The feature dense graphics at the start are off-putting. At the outset, simple graphics are needed to illustrate the concepts. The linkages between Map and Table are not explained in a user friendly way. I have been involved in the production of training material for 35 years. My motto has always been: Keep it simple at the start. Come on ESRI, you can do better than that.
Daniel Courtney [Ph.D Student]

this was a required textbook.
like all textbooks, informative.
the book is useful in its purpose.

all aspects of transaction were satisfactory.

This book is very basic, but it was intended to be. It is very well written and well organized. I'd recommend it as an intro. Even tho it is an ESRI book, it does not give specific instructions on how to do any tasks using ESRI products... also by design.

With GIS being all the rage - this is a great book to further knowledge. this is one of 2 that go with the Tutorial Vol 2. If you have some experience with ARC - you will love this book. VERY Reasonably priced!!

I've always known what the GIS analysis tools were, and have used many of them. But this book lays down a framework for deciding which techniques to use, and why. It also has a great section on classificiations that I have not seen anywhere else.

While this is an ESRI book, it's not really tied to ESRI software. A few things shown in the book can't be done with ESRI software. This makes it more univeral for study with other software packages.

GIS Tutorial II: Spatial Analysis Workbook for version 9.3 and
GIS Tutorial 2: Spatial Analysis Workbook for version 10.