Product Description

Physical geography is presented more consistently from chapter to chapter with major revisions to several chapters.
∗ A foldout map of the world in 1900 is included so that comparisons can be made from the beginning to the end of the 20th century.
∗ Website highlights approximately 13 Virtual Field Trips which provide the opportunity for readers to travel (virtually) to other areas of the world, while also developing analytical skills.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1635429 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 656 pages

From the Back Cover
Regions, as this comprehensive Geography text is generally known, combines a broad overview of the discipline of Geography with a penetrating assessment of developments in our fast–changing world. Geography links the study of human societies and their natural–environmental settings through a revealing, spatial approach, aided in this book by a unique series of thematic maps at various levels of scale. Thus the focus shifts seamlessly from the global to the regional to the local, yielding insights into the forces that shape the human mosiac of our planet.
From glaciation to globalization, desertification to devolution, Mexico to Madagascar, Regions puts processes and places in spatial context. Inside this cover lies an information highway to geographic literacy, a key to understanding the global map.

Customer Reviews

A marvelous world regional text
This text makes teaching world regional geography a breeze, not only because of the well structured and knowledgeable approach to the material, but also because of the vast array of additional materials instructors can receive from the publisher. I used this text every year I taught the course and found it surprisingly modular. Each chapter allows the instructor to introduce a new geographic concept area (e.g. medical geography when discussing the African Continent). I can't imagine teaching World Regional Geography with any other text. Moreover, the writing is so good I can easily see people buying it just to have around the house when the news is on. Well worth the price.

This book is priced according to the publisher's investment
As the editor of this book, I suppose it would be fair to consider my response to Mr. Wettstein to be biased. Furthermore, it is difficult to address issues of affordability and value because these purchasing decisions are personal and subjective. I can, however, clarify the mistaken assumption that a paperback version would reduce the price, since a cloth cover doesn't really add significantly to a textbook's total cost. The price that a textbook publisher charges a retail operation is based heavily on the cost of developing and manufacturing the book. In the case of this text, I refer in part to the high cost of drawing and preparing almost 250 high-quality, color maps and diagrams, the cost of licensing from Rand McNally the 13 regional reference maps that begin each chapter, and the cost of preparing over 150 color photographs. Furthermore, all the work done on this text, from concept to finished product, is done in the U.S.A.

Mr. Wettstein mentions what he has gained from the extensive knowledge of the authors, and by doing so addresses one quality of the text that sets it apart from other books like it. Professor de Blij has travelled around the world for the past 25 years in order to make this book as enriching, accurate, and not to mention, as beautiful as it is today. One can imagine his travel expenses and the enormous energy required of him. Yet, the result of the used book market and the other options Mr. Wettstein suggests,is that Harm de Blij and Peter Muller are not compensated via royalties.

Compare the $78.95 with items similarly priced, for example, athletic gear. I cannot believe that the cost of the design, materials and overhead for making sneakers comes close to the investment publishers make, especially with books that depend so much on graphics and photographs. Yet, a pair of sneakers runs close to $100 these days.

As with sneakers, our book may become worn with use, but I doubt that you'll ever need to throw it out. With this textbook, one gets a trip around the world that will last an intellectual lifetime.

An excellent introduction to the vast field of geography.
This is an excellent text tailored for the introductory geography student at the college level. This text infuses excitement with a wealth of knowledge for those being introduced to the field. It is also, however, a worthwhile reference for those who do not require extensive detail on any one geographic discipline or world region. The text is well written, includes excellent maps, and is more than suitable for introducing one to the 'world' of geography. As a college graduate who used this text in my course in world geography, I must say it was the perfect complement to a good instructor.