Geographic Information Systems and Science (Paperback)

~ Paul A. Longley (Author), Michael F. Goodchild (Author), David J. Maguire (Author), David W. Rhind (Author) "This chapter introduces the concept of representation, or the construction of a digital model of some aspect of the Earth's surface..." (more)
Key Phrases: strong positive spatial autocorrelation, geographic data models, dasymetric mapping, New York, Core Curriculum, John Wiley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"a compelling and accessible text" "The team of authors is one of the most distinguished ever assembled to write a GI textbook" "Once in a generation a textbook appears which redefines its field and becomes the standard for years to come. This is such a book." (GI News, June 2001)

"It is up-to-date, trendy in style but nonetheless well written." (Geometrics World, September 2001)

"It is an excellent book and one that the authors can rightly be proud of." (Civil Engineering Surveyor, November 2001)

"Once in a while a book comes along that makes you sit up and take notice. This is one of those times. As an introduction to the seductive world of GIS, it is unsurpassed". (Geography, January 2002)

"...it packages very good material in a highly attractive, interesting and palatable way..." (Environmental Planning B, Vol.29, No.4 2002) 

"...The text is excellent and competitors would be hard pushed to beat it...I would definitely recommend it..." (Information Technology and Tourism, Vol.5, No.2)

Product Description

Geographic Information Systems and Science is a landmark in the evolution of GIS. It is a book that captures and redefines the richness and diversity of GIS, in an accessible form. It presents a clearly-defined path to a world of learning about GIS, using the Internet and closely-couples reference sources. It is richly produced and illustrated unlike any other in the field, with over 300 full color illustrations.

Geographic Information Systems and Science is unique in several ways. It presents comprehensive treatments of:
*Geographic Information Science - the scientific context to GIS, technical content and geographic implications
*The real value of GIS - illustrated using real world applications. Treatments emphasize operational, tactical and strategic issues
*The impact of Internet GIS on interdisciplinary science and society
*The pivotal role of GIS as a business driver in the information age - including the role of GIS as a business asset and the operational dynamics of its use in practice

The book is the first to provide a gateway to Internet-based classroom and distance learning. A series of modules of the ESRI Virtual Campus have been specially written around the material in this book, and detailed learning guides identify other on-line sources. Additional free supplementary reference material is available through a Web site dedicated to the book
Contents
The book begins by developing the themes of GI Systems and GI Science, and illustrates the practical value of GIS through real case studies. The major parts then consider:
*GIS Principles
*GIS Techniques
*GIS Practice

A concluding section anticipates the future of GIS and prospects for the people who use it.

This book is suitable for 2nd/3rd year undergraduates taking courses in GIS within departments of Geography, Environmental Science, Forestry, Business Studies and Economics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Planning, and Archaeology. It is also suitable as a foundation course taught in M.Sc. and other higher degree programs. Its user-friendly format is designed to appeal to professionals working for federal, state and local organizations.
Paul A. Longley - University College London,UK
David J. Maguire - ESRI, Redlands CA, USA
Michael F. Goodchild - University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
David W. Rhind - City University, London, UK

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (July 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471892750
• ISBN-13: 978-0471892755
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #147,445 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Communication > Technology & Society
  #12 in	Books > Science > Earth Sciences > Geography > Information Systems
  #18 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Graphics & Multimedia > GIS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bar has been raised, July 6, 2001

By A Customer

For years I've searched for a GIS textbook comparable in scope and design to the standard Biology, Geography or Physics text. The existing GIS texts were either overly dense or painfully reductionist, lacked the interdisciplinary range necessary to fully represent the art of GISc, were minimally illustrated and designed, and generally failed to inspire students and practitioners alike. The new textbook by Longley, et al, challenges the conventions of the GISc textbook and in the process raises the bar on what we should expect from these texts.

A few of the features of this marvelous text: Illustrated in glorious full color, includes the range of fields and disciplines making use of GISc (Civil Engineering, Geography, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Business, etc.), presents GIS within its broader scientific context (the "GIScience" in the title), leads the reader through the discipline by first presenting the principles of the field, then the techniques, and finally gives real world examples in its practices section, written at a fundamental level yet doesn't shy away from advanced language and applications when appropriate.

A wonderful addition to GISc literature, I heartily recommend this text for any intermediate GISc course looking to explore the richness of this exciting field.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended by GIS instructor, June 2, 2002

By A Customer

I use this book to teach my university-level students. As someone who prefers a practical approach to GIS, but still wishes to back it up with theory, I have great appreciation for this book. It provides an excellent overview of topics relevant to GIS without overwhelming computer-wary students. Don't be fooled by the colorful, pretty pictures in this book,though-this is a serious primer on almost every theoretical topic related to GIS. My students tell me they especially like how much of the theory is backed up with practical examples. I especially recommend this book to GIS professionals who wish they had a background in Geography. It tells you everything you need to know and little that you don't.

One caveat-if you are not an ESRI user (ArcInfo, ArcView, ArcGIS) this may not be the book for you. Although other software packages are covered in the examples, the focus is heavily on ESRI.

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good information, but strange use of the English language, September 4, 2003

By A Customer

This book is a textbook for a course I am taking. The information is good, but the writers use strange sentence construction from time to time, making the material hard to understand, and rather dry.