The Place of Geography

Rating:
Summary: A history of geographic thought
Review: This book is an excellent summary of the history of Geography, its roots in classical thought, its development during the middle ages, and it's emergence as a discipline during the 1800's. It provides a social context in which to understand the emergence of the discipline and makes a plea for theory. A useful book for undergraduates, or students new to Geography who would like an overview. Some students couldn't care less, but some thrive on theory and the history of the displine, because it allows them an opportunity to see where they themselves fit.

I had previously read Unwin's geographical history of the Wine trade while writing a report on the wine industry, and enjoyed it immensly, so encountering a text book written by him for my History of Geographic Thought paper was reassuring. The book is organised in classic report style, with chapter and sub chapter headings. One of the priceless aspects of this book is Unwin's explanation of the role of contemporary Geography as a subject taught in secondary schools in America, Canada, England and Wales. As a subject at high school level, Geography is often marginalised in favour of History, leaving Geography without the profile that would attract graduates to students to persue study in the discipline at a higher level. Unwin outlines this problem and other crisis' that Geography has faced in recent years, including the effect that the turbulent middle decades of the 20th century had on Geographers: the way their inability to predict the events that occurred in the '60's and '70's shook their confidence in their research methods and approach to the discipline.

My favourite chapter is that on 'Geography and historical-hermeneutic science' and his focus on existentialism and phenomenology, because the Geographers that I enjoy best have drawn from these philosophies. Unwin helped me discover them, and gave me a historical-philosophical context in which to understand where the ideas came from and how they are relevant. It helped me chape my own ideas. A fascinating read, providing food for thought for Geographers or thinkers of every kind. scentific, hemeneutic and critical.