Book #6: Why Geography Matters: More Than Ever by Harm J. de Blij

Pages: 368

Published: 2012

From National Geographic Maps: "A provocative, fast-paced book that interprets the world through the dynamic discipline of geography. The remarkable chapter on Africa is at once compelling and tragic, but also cautiously [optomistc]. If you think that geography [is dull], try this book and you'll discover insights you've never encountered before."

From Roman P: "I recently returned from delivering a series of lectures at the Library of Alexandria, Egypt. Over 2300 years ago, the ancient library was the cradle of learning embracing many sciences and disciplines, including cartography and geography. Even thousands of years ago, the great thinkers and intellectuals of the time had an insatiable curiosity for the world, and attempted to understand the essential relationships between people and places. Following my lecture, there was a question and answer session. The audience included students and academics, many of whom had participated in the epic street protests that toppled the [three decade] dictatorship of Mubarak. It was inspiring how geographically literate and spatially aware these young people are - especially in terms of understanding and explaining the social, economic and geo-political forces driving their revolution with its historic changes but also great risks and uncertainties. As the discussions unfolded in Alexandria, I found myself constantly referencing many of the ideas and concepts [laid out] in this magnificent book - and its earlier version, Why Geography Matters? How often can you say that a contemporary book directly supports and explains complex world events such as those [taking place] across the Arab World and elsewhere for that matter. For anyone trying to understand our complex and [changing] world - geography REALLY matters - and this book offers not only a unique [array] of concepts and ideas, but links them clearly and directly to world events. This includes those in progress like the Arab Spring and remarkably, the book offers detailed insights into how these events might unfold in future impacting not only the host regions but the wider inter-connected world. Enlightening, inspirational, sobering in places, full of wit and wisdom and simply, an essential read."

I'd like to study this book because it provides direct links between geography and global trends and events.