The Changing Worlds of Geography: A Critical Guide to Concepts and Methods - Hardcover

Bird, James

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198232888 ISBN 13: 9780198232889

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1990

Synopsis

This guide to the methodology of geography surveys proposed approaches to geography and assesses their advantages and disadvantages. Bird discusses scale in geography, behavioral geography, systems, physical geography, and creativity and change in geography.

About this title

About the Author

James Bird, Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of Southampton.

Review

`As a review of present day geography the book is excellent; indeed I know of no equal.' Hugh Mason, Geography

`This book is a superb guide to a plethora of approaches and should leave no one in doubt of his personal predilections.'
Emrys Jones, Geographical Journal

`a well argued book ... the index is extraordinarily comprehensive ... the text is very well served by tables and diagrams that help to summarize and clarify sometimes complex arguments' Progress in Human Geography

`a well argued book ... the text is very well served by tables and diagrams that help to summarize and clarify sometimes complex arguments.'
Progress in Human Geography

`help is at hand in the form of this book which serves to guide students of geography - teachers as well as the taught - on an academic journey through the ever-changing worlds of the discipline.'
Scottish Geographical Magazine

''This guide is polemical' (18). This makes for a lively read and also makes the book, as the author states in his preface, 'on its own terms, ripe for refutation' (ix). This pleasingly candid Popperian invitation to refutation is a further positive aspect of the book's origins. The book is
well referenced and has comprehensive subject and author indexes, it is written in a lively if idiosyncratic style with many side comments and warnings to 'the reader' ... the main strength of the book is in the provision of food for thought for those who are currently dismissive of the potential
contribution of Popperian positivism within geography.'
Alan Patterson, West London Institute, Area 24 (1992)

`this book can be used as an effective counterbalance to the present spate of treatises on postmodern geography ... The book contains many graphs, tables and diagrams which help the reader understand the many distinctions and nuances the author is using in the text. Also included is a very
comprehensive bibliography and extensive author and subject indices. In all, Bird has been extremely thorough, perhaps even exhaustive, in his treatment of the relationships between science, theory, meta-theoretical concerns and geography.'
Annals of the Association of American Geographers

`Should be recommended for all geographers.'
Dr R. Parish, University of Sussex

'Bird is to be congratulated for presenting a coherent and robust view of critical rationalisim for the human geographer.'
Roy Haines-Young, University of Nottingham, Applied Geography, Second Issue, Volume 14, (1994)

`Bird is to be congratulated for presenting a coherent and robust view of critical rationalism for the human geographer ... a treatise, rich in ideas and allusion. Those who are prepared to read it closely will find their efforts rewarded.'
Applied Geography

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198232888
• ISBN 13: 9780198232889
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320