Geography: A Very Short Introduction

I guess that "very short" is a relative term. The six chapters provided a good introduction to the field of geography. Anyone with even a passing interest in geography should read this book. It would also be a good supplemental text for high school or undergraduate geography courses.

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Excellent shape and delivered on time. I am writing a script and needed the book to be in good shape. I am very pleased. Thank You. This is the quality I enjoy from Amazon and its subsidiaries.

I haven't actually read the book yet, so this review is not about the quality of it. At my university, I have access to a digital copy through our library, but I decided to buy the Kindle version because "In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition," which would have been extremely useful. However, that is not the case -- this book uses the "location" method just like so many other Kindle books, and there is no way to see a real page number. Immediately returned it. Kindle buyers beware!

Oxford University Press describes its "Very Short Introduction Series" as intended "for anyone wanting a stimulating and accessible way into a new subject." "What better way to get older", I thought, "than by learning something new". I wasn't prepared to try, say, particle physics; but I wanted to read on a subject relatively new for me and manageable. I found this Very Short Introduction to Geography (2008) by John A Matthews and David T. Herbert. Matthews is Professor of Physical Geography and the University of Wales, Swansea, while Herbert is Emeritus Professor of Geography and Honorary Fellow at the same institution. The authors earlier collaborated on a book, "Unifying Geography: Common Heritage, Shared Future" (2004); and the title suggests a good deal of the theme of their very short introduction.Geography is a broad, diverse discipline, and most lay readers will have only a general idea of its scope. The authors quote a number of definitions and offer the readers the following simple explanation. "The subject matter of geography is the Earth's surface, including the envelope of atmosphere immediately above it, the structures that lie immediately below it, and the social and cultural environments contributed by the people who occupy it." The authors identify and explain the three "core concepts" of geography: space, place, and environment.The most interesting part of the book is the authors' frequent discussion about whether geography is one study or several. The study is at the cusp of physical science and human culture. It divides broadly into the fields of physical geography and cultural geography. There is room for doubt about the extent of the ties that hold the fields together. In addition each of the two broad fields seem to fold in with other sciences or studies. The authors discuss at length the difficulty of integrating the study of geography, but they are convinced the effort is important and worthwhile. In discussing the future of the discipline, they urge an effort to integrate its various components at their center.The book develops the science of physical geography, its subdivisions, and the relationship of the field to other sciences. They stress the quantitative, empirical character that the discipline shares with other sciences.Cultural geography is highly different from the physical science. It has moved over the years from an attempt to be quantitative and empirical to a search for meaning. In so doing, it has followed trends in the humanities and philosophy. The authors discuss subjects including deconstruction and feminism to show how the different ways people have developed to look at and understand the physical space they inhabit has changed the ways many cultural geographers view their subject. I was interested in learning how philosophy, which I have studied, has become important in the way in which at least some geographers view their discipline.The book discusses the tools and methodologies geographers bring to their tasks. Here again, the subject is frustratingly broad with the authors mentioning a range of studies from advanced mathematics and statistical theory on the one hand to T.S. Elliot's poem "Little Gidding" to Jacques Derrida on the other hand. The difficulty is to find the precise "space" (pun intended) for the discipline. The authors discuss the many ways in which geographers team to work with others, both in the sciences and the humanities.In reading the book, I thought of two uses of geography from my own recent reading. First, I read a novel by a writer I admire, George Gissing, which is set in the Lambeth area of London and in the outlying areas of London in the 1880s. A new edition of the book  Thyrza  includes an article by a cultural geographer describing in detail the physical environment of the London areas that Gissing describes in his novel. It was useful in providing a setting for the story. I also read a new collection of essays about the 1862 battle of Shiloh in the Civil War. A perceptive essay, using the work of a professional geographer, describes the complex terrain of the battlefield as it stood in 1862 and concludes that the terrain probably was the decisive factor in the Union victory on that field.  Rethinking Shiloh: Myth and Memory  It was valuable to tie in this very short introduction to geography with subjects I know.The authors maintain that the study of geography may function as a bridge between the sciences and the humanities. If so, it would be a valuable thing to do. I enjoyed learning something new and outside my usual reading in this book, and I also enjoyed getting a very short introduction to the study of geography.Robin Friedman

Like the earlier reviewer of this book I noticed that the authors said John Glenn was the first man on the moon. However, I was not going to let that stop me from finishing it. I'm glad I didn't, because this was a great introduction to Geography.The book delves into area such as Physical and Human Geography and how they intertwine. Also covered are the tools used and a chapter on what the future of Geography might hold.A common theme in the book is that Geography is a very diverse subject and is really hard to pin down because so many new theories and branches of the discipline are evolving. While the authors cover this well I decided it is also the weakness of the book. They spend too much time reiterating this theme. I suppose it is important to the subject, but I found it repetitive.I will look into some of the further reading provided at the end of the book because my curiosity is piqued. I think that is a good sign of any book in the series of Very Short Introductions and that is why I give it four stars.

As advertised

Last sentence of the first chapter: "However, John Glenn's first footsteps on the moon show that there is still potential for human exploration..."John Glenn? An editor should have picked up on that, especially considering the moon landing was, likely, the most notable event of the last century. Such a glaring mistake makes one suspect every other fact in the book. Had I read that line before I bought it at the store, I would have placed the book back on the shelf.Decent introduction otherwise, but, again, I am suspicious.

This is a terrific series of books that are consistently interesting and well written. They all manage to combine being highly readable yet at the same time with academic content. Matthews and Herbert's introduction to geography is nicely written. Geography has long had something of an identity crisis about what it is supposed to be and this book explores the history of the subject and explains how the difficulties arise. Matthews and Herbert are both strong advocates of a holistic or integrated approach to the subject - combining physical and human geography - and not surprisingly they are at their most convincing and energised when on this aspect. As a result the book gets better towards the end.The book is logically laid out and one particular nice touch is the attempt to identifying unifying traits of methodology or approaches. The historic analysis is interesting although I have seen other commentators write more concisely about it. The detail of the physical and human chapters can be a little dry to the casual reader. But towards the end, when they discuss the importance of an integrated approach, their energy seems to lift and the book is totally excellent.As a general introduction to the subject it is a good start. The early pages might be a bit dry for some tastes but certainly if you are on your way to an undergraduate interview for a geography course, you could do a lot worse than read this on your journey. The real beauty of these books for me is that they are a good launching point for further investigation - the references section is always well written and annotated. I have already purchased one of the books mentioned for further investigation.

Perfect - read it before my interview at a prestigious university and gave me some great background knowledge about the subject. Would recommend to those applying for geography for sure. BUT is is quite theory based and is about the history and development of the subject, and if that isn't your thing then you might not enjoy it. I thought it was great though!

I read this before I went in to teacher training to become a Geography teacher, after my Geography degree - it is a great little book to give you the basics. I would love to read all the others in the series.It would be perfect for anyone interested in or studying Geography.

Its a small little book that was on a penny sale, and I finished it in one night or maybe two. Worth the buy if your interested in this subject.

A good series of books that gives enough information to get you started or help with revision. Small enough to carry in a pocket and not feel overwhelming to open.