four thoughts
1. Despite the editor's efforts to mix and match the
contributors, the book to my mind did suggest the existence of a number of
'nodes' of theoretical enquiry in human geography, with the majority of
them based here in the UK (as well as California, Vancouver). This is
natural, but might be disturbing to those concerned with the 'state of the
discipline' at present and who might feel a bit excluded, and particularly
the non-anglophone world - the remarks about this exclusion/choice on p20
could be better flagged.
2. A useful book to get fellow lecturers and postgrads to think hard!
Similar in that way to 'Social Relations & Spatial Structures' (Gregory &
Urry, 1985) that played a similar role 15 years ago. I shall place them
together on my shelf.
3. I for one agreed with Ron J - things were left out, perhaps
purposefully, to set a slightly defensive and partial agenda rather than to
report on what geographers are doing (which is what the title might lead
one to expect of the book). I would need to teach with another text
alongside this one to address developments in political ecology, spatial
sciences, mapping...
4. I liked the idea of 'relational thinking' and theorising as part of
everyday practices. Although I fail to see why one's entrypoint cannot be
the stuff of empirical 'firstspace', since contributions there (for
example in understanding the extent of anthropogenic land cover change,
the social and environmental costs of motorized transport, or the
mechanics of Massey(ian) deindustrialization) are most likely to initiate
broader changes amongst policy communities, the public, and non-academics.
I would start students there, and build up to Soja's theoretical and
practical sophistication.
That is what we do in our teaching, here.
Simon
PS I write LOT of book reviews. I know some people refuse to, because it
might compromise their careers or they can't submit them for the RAE/their
tenure file. I think we have to allow reviews open as sites of expression,
not to be seen as attacks. Otherwise only those with tenured jobs or
secure reputations will feel secure enough to write them. One benefit of
the web is that 'views on reviews' can be more openly shared.
On Wed, 9 Jun 1999 16:50:34 +0100 (BST) "Alan C. Hudson"
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> Did anyone see Ron Johnston's review of the Massey, Allen and Sarre edited
> collection called Human Geography Today in the Times Higher last Friday?
>
> Any reactions? From the contributors? Editors? Other less partial
> readers?
>
> Personally, I thought it was a bit harsh, or at least ambivalent, with
> more questions raised then opinions given.
>
> Although I agree very much with Ron Johnston that we shouldn't turn our
> attentions too far away from "firstspace" (what was once called reality),
> I rather liked the book and thought it was quite well grounded in
> empirical work.
>
> I also thought it did a good job of explaining and illustrating the ways
> in which geography - as spatial organization - might matter, rather than
> simply asserting that geography matters.
>
> For an undergraduate looking to get up to date with some of the most
> interesting work in contemporary and sometimes critical human geography I
> thought it would make a really good book. Pretty useful for older hands
> too.
>
> Whad'ya reckon?
>
> cheers,
> alan
>
> PS: non-UK folks with web access can probably find the review at
> www.thesis.co.uk
>
> It was on p.27 if that helps.
>
> ******************
> Dr. Alan C. Hudson
> (University Assistant Lecturer and Fellow of Fitzwilliam College)
>
> Department of Geography,
> University of Cambridge,
> CB2 3EN,
> United Kingdom.
>
> Tel: + 44 (0) 1223 333364 (Department - Direct line)
> Tel: + 44 (0) 1223 358354 (Home + Answerphone)
> Fax: + 44 (0) 1223 333392 (Department)
>
------------------------------
Dr Simon Batterbury
Dept. of Geography & Earth Sciences
Brunel University
Uxbridge Middx. UB8 3PH, UK
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/depts/geo
tel +1895 274000 fax +1895 203217
[log in to unmask]
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