Don't Know Much about Geography

The author of Don't Know Much about History examines the amusing perceptions that people historically have had about the world and the universe, with a look at the world map today and passages from memorable travel writers. 150,000 first printing. $115,000 ad/promo. Tour.

The author of the successful Don't Know Much About History returns to correct his countrymen's lack of knowledge about geography, a lack established when Americans aged 18 to 24 scored lowest on a 1988 test of geographic literacy given to young people of all industrialized nations. Davis writes with an entertaining, breezy touch and encompasses such interesting considerations as the origin of the belief in a race of Amazons. Besides essential geographic information, chapters cover the history of geographical studies, an overview of large cities of the past and present, the effect of climate on developing civilizations and astronomy. Helpful lists, ranging from glossaries to current and former names of countries and U.N. membership are included. Davis's eminently readable treatise should help remedy an ignorance that has even been discussed in the U.S. Senate. Author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Any efforts to save the U.S. public from geographic illiteracy should certainly be encouraged. Davis attempts to achieve this goal with a cheerful writing style, a varied format--e.g., cartoons, text, milestones in geography, and quotations from fascinating travel writings of previous centuries--and an environmentalist bent. The text, which could have been better organized, begins with a historical overview of geography, then moves to mountains, oceans, early human history, climate, and space, and closes with a bibliography (including a list of books for children) and an index (not seen). For general collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/92.
- Mary L. Larsgaard, Univ. of California-Santa Barbara Map & Imagery Lab Lib.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.