Product Description

Dissident Geographies is an accessible and lively exploration of radical perspectives in human geography. The perspectives examined in the book reveal and resist certain power relations that have constituted geographical knowledge.  The book has two main aims. First, rather than reify 'the' geographical tradition, Dissident Geographies introduces a number of geographical traditions that challenge and destabilize what counts as geographical knowledge. Second, the book shows how the production of geographical knowledge is tied to politics and struggles outside as well as within the academy.  In each chapter, case studies illustrate the spatiality of political practice and the politics of geographical thought. In this way Dissident Geographies reveals the connections between power, politics and geographical knowledge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #527512 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-13
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

Why dissident?
Blunt and Mills book is a reasonably good summary of five geographic perspectives throughout the course of history which were, at the time, deemed to be unorthodox.

However, with contemporary Geography taking such a postmodern approach to the conceptualisation of things spatial and temporal, there is nothing currently dissident about the viewpoints stated. No new subject matter is covered, no theories are put forward, so there is nothing dissident about it.

The paradox is that the five concepts covered in the book (Anarchism, Marxism, Post-colonialism, Feminism & Sexuality) are today considered as well-established within Geography, and yet are discussed as being radical. However, they are as valuable as any other stance or outlook.

Highlights are the chapters on Marxism and Anarchism, although this has much to do with the depth of concepts and their associated political and social ramifications, rather than any new thought given about these subjects. Another saving grace is that its format is innovative, with inset examples on almost every page.

In conclusion this is nothing more than a summarisation; a glossary. It is certainly NOT a manifesto, failing in its mission to convey radical ideas and practices. The greatest paradox of all is that the proactive front cover illustration contradicts the prevailing message of the book - that dissidence is something consigned to history, and that it certainly has no contemporary practical applicational relevance. Superficial and unnecessary.