Product Description

This introduction to the development of new theoretical approaches to human geography sets out to explain the key features of these new approaches, and to trace their antecedents and implications. The authors also highlight points of comparison and contrast, inter-connection and dissimilarity.

An introductory chapter describes and accounts for the theoretical diversity present within twentieth-century human geography, and particular attention is paid to the transition from environmental and regional approaches to the “spatial science” of the 1960s. This chapter then sets the stage for the later chapters, which deal systematically with different post-1960s approaches: Marxism, humanism, realism, structuration and postmodernism. Each of these chapters deals with the chronological development of the appropriate literature, describes the key claims and arguments, and then presents a worked example to illustrate the benefits and pitfalls of an approach in practice. A concluding chapter re-integrates the diverse themes and reflects briefly on possible future theoretical developments in human geography in the 1990s.

The principal chapters of the book are framed by both a preface and an epilogue, which address questions about ‘relativism’ in approaching human geography, while also stressing the need for continued commitment and critical sensitivity in geographical enquiry. The book is written in an easily accessible style with generous expositions of key claims and arguments, and thorough cross-referencing between chapters.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #144152 in Books
• Published on: 1991-04-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

A useful anthology of Human Geography.
The book contains a plethora of essays by a number of eminent Geographers - both living and dead. The book is a very useful tool for Human Geography undergraduates who want (or need) to find out more about the development of their subject. Many of the chapters are full of views and opinions of different geographers of different periods of time from the 19th century through to the present day. Topics cover the development of human geography as an academic subject, starting with the ideas of Halford Mackinder in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It also covers the eminence of social science in the 1960s and the post-modern geographies - such as geographies of 'self' and 'other' as well as geographies of disability, gender. Some of the postmodern geographies covered, in my opinion, are a bit wishy-washy and cover what is more sociological than geographical. Some of the chapters are written in a very highbrow way which can make some parts very difficult to understand at first reading - it needs perseverance. It is, however, an invaluable book for any undergraduates studying the origins and development of the sub-discipline of Human Geography. All of the chapters will not be useful to everyone, but there is something useful in there for everybody studying Human Geography.