Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts, 8th Edition [Hardcover]

H. J. de Blij (Author), Peter O. Muller (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0876666535 | ISBN-13: 978-0471119463 | Publication Date: July 26, 1996 | Edition: 8th

This introduction to world regional geography uses fundamental concepts to organize the world around developed and less developed regions, while also providing basic systematic geography. Includes major geographically significant world events through the Spring of 1996.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Instructor's Manual, Study Guide, Slides, Transparencies, Microtest, CD-ROM and Video Resources available. -- The publisher, John Wiley & Sons --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

This market-leading textbook has undergone a significant change: the overall organization has shifted from developed/underdeveloped countries to a more practical format which focuses on the enormous regional and social disparities in individual countries within the realm. The text has been streamlined and the chapters are organized into two distinct parts: Defining the Realm (physical, historical, and cultural background) and Regions of the Realm (more specific descriptions of each region). Contains increased emphasis on urban geography, reflected in a new segment entitled Among the Realm's Great Cities. As in previous editions, this one includes outstanding illustrative materials and the most up-to-date nomenclature and maps. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 656 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 8th edition (July 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876666535
• ISBN-13: 978-0471119463
• ASIN: 0471119466
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,422,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous world regional text, February 18, 1999

By 

Michael N. DeMers "Dr. Gadget" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts, 8th Edition (Hardcover)

This text makes teaching world regional geography a breeze, not only because of the well structured and knowledgeable approach to the material, but also because of the vast array of additional materials instructors can receive from the publisher. I used this text every year I taught the course and found it surprisingly modular. Each chapter allows the instructor to introduce a new geographic concept area (e.g. medical geography when discussing the African Continent). I can't imagine teaching World Regional Geography with any other text. Moreover, the writing is so good I can easily see people buying it just to have around the house when the news is on. Well worth the price.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good learning had a price, be it time and money!!, August 19, 2003

By 

Andre Mireault (Dana Point, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geography: Realms, Regions and Concepts, 10th Edition (Hardcover)

I just finished my college course "Geography of the World" using this book. Personally I found the 10th edition book very useful and entertaining. If you want to LEARN SOMETHING, get "edumacated" has one of my friends who graduated Sumna Cum Laude from Berkeley would say, buy this book. Pony up the money, bite the bullet and enjoy the reading.

This book is for knowledge and education, it is NOT for the slacker who complains because he has to read 10 pages of text every week for his GEO class. I agree that this book might be a little pricey BUT the quality is there. If you can't afford a new one, buy a used one. The book is very well structure and easy to understand, you get out of it what you put in reading it.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is priced according to the publisher's investment, November 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts, 8th Edition (Hardcover)

As the editor of this book, I suppose it would be fair to consider my response to Mr. Wettstein to be biased. Furthermore, it is difficult to address issues of affordability and value because these purchasing decisions are personal and subjective. I can, however, clarify the mistaken assumption that a paperback version would reduce the price, since a cloth cover doesn't really add significantly to a textbook's total cost. The price that a textbook publisher charges a retail operation is based heavily on the cost of developing and manufacturing the book. In the case of this text, I refer in part to the high cost of drawing and preparing almost 250 high-quality, color maps and diagrams, the cost of licensing from Rand McNally the 13 regional reference maps that begin each chapter, and the cost of preparing over 150 color photographs. Furthermore, all the work done on this text, from concept to finished product, is done in the U.S.A.

Mr. Wettstein mentions what he has gained from the extensive knowledge of the authors, and by doing so addresses one quality of the text that sets it apart from other books like it. Professor de Blij has travelled around the world for the past 25 years in order to make this book as enriching, accurate, and not to mention, as beautiful as it is today. One can imagine his travel expenses and the enormous energy required of him. Yet, the result of the used book market and the other options Mr. Wettstein suggests,is that Harm de Blij and Peter Muller are not compensated via royalties.

Compare the $78.95 with items similarly priced, for example, athletic gear. I cannot believe that the cost of the design, materials and overhead for making sneakers comes close to the investment publishers make, especially with books that depend so much on graphics and photographs. Yet, a pair of sneakers runs close to $100 these days.

As with sneakers, our book may become worn with use, but I doubt that you'll ever need to throw it out. With this textbook, one gets a trip around the world that will last an intellectual lifetime.