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Rating: 
Summary: This book is priced according to the publisher's investment
Review: 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.
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Summary: Good learning had a price, be it time and money!!
Review: I just finished my college course "Geography of the World" using this book. Personally I found the 10th edition book very useful and entertaining. If you want to LEARN SOMETHING, get "edumacated" has one of my friends who graduated Sumna Cum Laude from Berkeley would say, buy this book. Pony up the money, bite the bullet and enjoy the reading. This book is for knowledge and education, it is NOT for the slacker who complains because he has to read 10 pages of text every week for his GEO class. I agree that this book might be a little pricey BUT the quality is there. If you can't afford a new one, buy a used one. The book is very well structure and easy to understand, you get out of it what you put in reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Expensive but well worth it
Review: I paid quite a bit for this textbook, but in my opinion it is well worth it. The book is highly detailed with lots of nice diagrams and maps. It was pretty easy to follow/understand, but contains so much information that you can be overwhelmed easily if you do not enjoy Cultural/World Geography.
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Summary: The World is too big!
Review: I read this book and determined that the world is entirely too big! Yeeesh! Also the book was way over priced. It has a lot of info, but often talks in a menagerie of metaphors!
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Summary: Incredibly tedious book, to be read only by inmates.
Review: Quite long.....too many words
Rating:
Summary: This book is priced according to the publisher's investment
Review: 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.
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Summary: An excellent introduction to the vast field of geography.
Review: 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.
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Summary: A marvelous world regional text
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: This book, while good, is entirely too expensive
Review: Why is this book so expensive? I understand that it is very in-depth and well researched. I have read parts of it in the library. However, it is way beyond the price range of its primary audience, students. This type of markup is horrific. I have avoided buying this book now for two semesters due to its obscenely high price. If it only came out in a moderately priced paperback, I would have the option of purchasing it and gaining some of the extensive knowledge of its authors. As it stands now, I refuse to pay into a monopoly which feeds itself on one of the least rich segments of society, the student. I suggest to everyone else considering this book to do the same. Borrow from friends or the library, do what you need to within the confines of copywrite law, but do not buy this book at its current price.
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