Questioning Geography: Fundamental Debates [Paperback]

Noel Castree (Editor), Alisdair Rogers (Editor), Douglas Sherman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2005 | ISBN-10: 140510192X | ISBN-13: 978-1405101929 | Edition: 1

Questioning Geography introduces students to the fundamental debates that animate geography today.

• Each of the chapters focuses on a key issue that has divided or galvanised geographers in their work.
  
• Covers both human and physical geography.
  
• Includes essay questions and suggestions for further reading.
  
• Demonstrates to students the distinctiveness and vitality of modern geography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘Questioning Geography brings together some of the world’s leading geographical thinkers in an honest, refreshing, intellectually vibrant and accessible set of encounters that simultaneously illuminate and develop key debates. While individual chapters show the diversity of philosophical, methodological and substantive concerns in geography, this book ultimately celebrates the vitality of a challenging and robust discipline.’ Adam Tickell, University Of Bristol

‘Questioning Geography is that rare thing – a volume for undergraduates that brings human and physical geographers into meaningful conversation.’ Sarah J. Whatmore, University of Oxford

‘This book doesn’t just summarize the debates currently raging in geography: it adds all kinds of informed judgements and critical commentary which make it into an essential resource for students, a resource which is much more than the sum of its parts. It is the place to go for an up to date overview.’ Nigel Thrift, University of Oxford

Book Description

Questioning Geography introduces students to the fundamental debates in geography today. Unlike many texts on the nature and history of geography, it considers both human and physical geography, focusing on a set of long-standing issues - intellectual and practical - that distinguish geography as a field of inquiry. Covering both sides of the discipline, each chapter addresses a key issue that continues to preoccupy geographers. Questions considered include: Is geography a coherent discipline? Are human and physical geography sciences? In what ways is geography relevant? Supported by essay questions and suggestions for further reading, this accessible text demonstrates to students the distinctiveness and vitality of modern geography. It reveals the tensions and faultlines in the discipline, as well the distinctive perspectives, methods and findings that make the field what it is today.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (November 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140510192X
• ISBN-13: 978-1405101929
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,033,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for undergrads and graduate students alike!, August 20, 2009

By 

D. Munroe "the proud llama" (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Questioning Geography: Fundamental Debates (Paperback)

I have used several of these chapters in both undergrad and grad classes, in everything from statistics, to GIS, to human geography, to land use. All around great book! Apparently this comes out of a push in the U.K. to write upper division geography textbooks. I wish we had such a push here in the U.S. (and that it was lucrative). Some of the topics are Britain-specific, so it takes a bit more work to explain the context to undergrad students. The idea that geographers should have some sort of "capstone" course at the end of the BA/BS degree to review and synthesize what they have learned, and apply to real world, policy relevant problems (e.g., interpretations of census data) is a good way to go, in my opinion. I also like the divisions: debates, key issues, the discipline itself. Very useful! Anyone who reads this book should have no problem thoughtfully and compellingly answering the question: what do geographers do?

5.0 out of 5 stars This book helped me., May 19, 2011

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Tiffany V. Blair "OneLOvelyGurl05" (WV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Questioning Geography: Fundamental Debates (Paperback)

This text was used in my Geography Capstone class. It provided me a lot of insight into Geography. We didn't cover the whole text so I can't say I loved every article. In fact, I can't say that I loved any article. The text served its purpose of introducing me to issues in geography. I think I will be able to use it again during my graduate studies.

3 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Geography Question #1: The earth is warming. What are geographers doing about it?, October 17, 2006

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James Safranek "Holocene Meltwater" (Steinbeck Country) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Questioning Geography: Fundamental Debates (Paperback)

It's all here: the disciplinary debate over cultural versus physical geography, professional relevancy, marxism, etc., (topics that seem to get the juices of geographers flowing). But it's getting old.
Economists at Tufts just released a report CLIMATE CHANGE: THE COSTS OF INACTION which states that without immediate government action on climate change, the env. and scoial costs will be incalculable. Geographers take notice: this should be the obvious issue the profession could rally around. In this book, you never would have guessed it. Take warning geographers: debate all you want, but the costs of inaction on a grand and unified scale to address global warming will be the cross geographers--with all of their expertise on global environmental change-- bear.