Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography: Virtual Field Trip Upgrade (4th Edition) [Hardcover]

Robert W. Christopherson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130613452 | ISBN-13: 978-0130613455 | Publication Date: August 6, 2001 | Edition: 4th

For freshman- or sophomore-level introductory Physical Geography courses at 2-or 4-year colleges and universities. * Geosystems is written, organized, and illustrated to give introductory students an accessible, systematic, and visually appealing start in physical geography. The text is supported by a superior cartographic, illustration, and a digital media program. The first Physical Geography book to give students and professors an integrated, easy to understand, easy to use technology program, this text excels in motivating exploration and enhancing presentation. * Author's email: [e-mail]

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

From the very first page, the student is drawn into excitement of contemporary physical geography and the challenge of exploring the home planet. This text offers a distinctive integration of human-Earth relationships, an applied flavor, scientific correctness, and extraordinary currency. The new edition builds on the great success of the first two editions with its thorough, current coverage of physical geography. Geosystems presents the most up-to-date information about Earth's physical systems available in an introductory text--all viewed through the spatial analysis approach unique to physical geography. The text is supported by a superior cartographic and illustration program, including 210 new photographs, 80 remotely- sensed images, and 75 maps that have been re-rendered or are new to this edition. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Geosystems is written, organized, and illustrated to give new learners an accessible, systematic, and visually appealing start in physical geography. The book is supported by a superior cartographic, illustration, and a digital media program. With an integrated, easy to understand, easy to use technology program, this book excels in motivating exploration and enhancing presentation. A four-part organization of chapter covers the energy-atmosphere system; the water, weather, and climate systems; the earth-atmosphere interface; and soils, ecosystems, and biomes. For individuals with an interest in physical geography.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 688 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Longman; 4th edition (August 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130613452
• ISBN-13: 978-0130613455
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,479,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A textbook to keep for a lifetime, March 30, 2000

By 

"nmatzke" (University of California at Santa Barbara, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography (Textbook Binding)

I am a Teaching Assistant at UC Santa Barbara and relied heavily on Christopherson's text through 2 quarters of introductory physical geography. The book succeeds in its mission: it clearly explains the fundamental principles of the Earth's interacting atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, and it does so in a geographic context. The theme of interacting systems holds the material together, allowing students to integrate the multitude of basic concepts into a big picture. Christopherson takes time to include material on how humans interact with the various earth systems, a very relevant topic today with disasters in the news and environmental problems abounding. The text works best for students with a solid high school background in science, but seems achievable even for students who "hate science" or have a poor background in it. At the same time, due to extensive, well thought out diagrams, side-boxes, web references, and many thoughtful pictures, the text is engaging enough to keep even the most advanced students (and T.A. graduate students!) reading. Geosystems is considerably more accessible than Strahler & Strahler's Physical Geography, although the latter book should be preferred for more advanced courses. The only negative point of any significance is the CD-ROM included with the book. Perhaps it was my PC, but I found it clumsy to use, with small pictures, little interaction and generally not worth anyone's time. Few students even tried it, and none found it helpful for learning the material. Hopefully this will be revamped in future additions. In conclusion, I should mention that in addition to its academic virtures, the text is one of the most beautiful textbooks I have ever had the pleasure of owning. I have heard that Christopherson essentially has devoted his career to the production and revision of this text, and it shows. It is the kind of book you can profitably keep on your shelf, coffee table, or under your seat during a cross-country road trip.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well done text. Top notch photos and diagrams., March 20, 2007

By 

A. mcpherson "Endless Loop" (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography (6th Edition) (Hardcover)

I thought this was well organized and easy to understand for the most part. There were only a few parts (pages, really) that were sort of ho-hum. The diagrams and photos were top notch and really went well with the text. This text would be interesting to read just for the sake of it. I don't have another text to compare it to, which I imagine is a good thing. I've had other texts that were so bad that I only used them for the problem sets (Zill's diff eq text!) but the only external source I used with this book was the internet --and that was usually because something in the book sparked more curiosity.

I would have preferred more technical information (such as wave dynamics or quantative analysis) but I do understand this is an intro text and that I am a math geek.

Our instructor combined this text with the geography of the Pacific NW where I reside, and I certainly do look at the landscape quite differently after taking this course. For that, I give it a five.

Kudos to Christopherson for a well designed book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geosystems, September 30, 2009

By 

Stephen O'Neil - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography (7th Edition) (Hardcover)

This is a really nice book and goes into detail. I need this book for class and I really like the class. The only suggestion that I have is asking your professor if you need the 7th edition or if you can use the 6th, there is little difference between the two books. My professor told me after I had already purchased this book that I could have used the 6th edition and saved lots of money. Overall great book!!