An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

~ Ian Heywood (Author), Sarah Cornelius (Author), Steve Carver (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This authoritative book offers an up-to-date introduction to the world of Geographical Information Systems. Fully revised an updated it is designed to be easy to use for students at all levels, from undergraduates to professionals retraining in GIS. The book focuses on the practical application of GIS, and considers how the technology works.

From the Back Cover

This authoritative and widely adopted book is an up-to-date introduction to the world of Geographical Information Systems. It is an approachable and readable text for students at all levels, from undergraduates to professionals retraining in GIS.

The book focuses on the practical applications of GIS, and considers how the technology works. Each chapter addresses a specific theme and is backed up with examples, case studies, revision questions, directed reading and additional resources on a companion website. The book can be used to give the reader a quick tour through the world of GIS, to help the reader develop a thorough understanding of GIS or as a source of reference information.

The second edition includes important updates and offers expanded explanations of key concepts and issues. Up-to-date issues and recent developments including new data sources, census data, georeferencing, mobile and Internet GIS, and participatory GIS are all covered in more detail. The website has also been substantially updated.

Key features

• supplementary material, including data, teaching resources, additional readings and web addresses are available at www.booksites.net/heywood
• extensive use of case studies to illustrate key concepts and issues
• boxes containing further information provide in-depth coverage of specific topics and case studies
• revision questions at the end of each chapter test understanding of key concepts and issues
• recommended reading and suggestions for further study with each chapter
• glossary, index and suggestions for further study to help the reader to find all the information needed to get to grips with the subject

"The text is highly readable, with concepts and processes exposed through three primary case studies. But perhaps more appealing is the bold inclusion of self-contained expositions that highlight key concepts and applications". Ken Denike, University of British Columbia

"¿ illustrated with clear and well-labelled illustrations - essential to an introductory text"                                                                                                                Martin Charlton, University of Newcastle

"Topics are covered with enough depth so that the book will also be beneficial to longer-term users. The writing style, graphics and case studies are presented in a simple and easy to read format. The book could be used as a text for a course or read by anyone interested in learning the fundamentals behind GIS technology.      Ann Johnson, ESRI Inc

 

The authors

Ian Heywood, previously Director of Open and Distance Learning for Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen and a Senior Lecturer in GIS at Manchester Metropolitan University, is currently Director of Learning for UK BusinessLab Ltd.

Sarah Cornelius is a trainer, consultant and author in the fields of GIS and eLearning and an Associate Lecturer at the Open University.

Steve Carver is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of Leeds. He is Director of the MA in GIS and MSc in GIS.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (November 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130611980
• ISBN-13: 978-0130611987
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,099,653 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best organization of all introductory GIS texts, April 21, 1999

By	Bryan Baker ([e-mail]) (Rohnert Park, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (Textbook Binding)

This book has the best organization of all the GIS texts I've read. Other texts have either too little or too much on some topics (especially GIS project management and GIS analysis). This one has an excellent balance. A little more on data sources would have been nice. The British authors use a few terms American students won't recognize, but it reads very well. I'm recommending it right now over other overviews of GIS.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introductory Level GIS book, December 17, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Redlands, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (Textbook Binding)

This book introduces the basic principles of GIS from the perspective of a new user. Topics are covered with enough depth so that the book will also be beneficial to longer-term users. The writing style, graphics and case studies are presented in a simple and easy to read format. The book could be used as a text for a course or read by anyone interested in learning the fundamentals behind GIS technology. There is also a web site for the book that will allow readers access to current trends in GIS and URLs for case studies.

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I wanted, June 29, 2009

By	N. P. Amschwand (Cape Town, South Africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

As a novice at Geographical Information Systems I was looking for a guide that simply explained the technology without being too basic. This book was just what I was looking for.