These essays trace the evolution of British geography as an academic discipline during the last hundred years, and stress how the study of the world we live in is fundamental to an understanding of its problems and concerns. Never before has such an ambitious and wide-ranging review been attempted, and never before has it been done with so much knowledge and passion. The principal themes covered in this volume are those of environment, place and space, and the applied geography of map-making and planning. The volume also addresses specific issues such as disease, urbanization, regional viability, and ethics and social problems. This lively and accessible work offers many insights into the minds and practices of today's geographers.

Using as its central example the British Association for the Advancement of Science this is the first book-length treatment of this leading body for the promotion of science for more than 25 years and the first ever of British geography's civic history.

This volume brings together leading scholars in the geography and history of twentieth-century Britain to illustrate the contribution that geographical thinking can make to understanding modern Britain. The first collection to explore the contribution that geographical thinking can make to our understanding of modern Britain. Contains thirteen essays by leading scholars in the geography and history of twentieth-century Britain. Focuses on how and why geographies of Britain have formed and changed over the past century. Combines economic, political, social and cultural geographies. Demonstrates the vitality of work in this field and its relevance to everyday life.

Far from dissolving, this effort demonstrates the ongoing vitality of geography as a profession. In a world increasingly sensitive to the problems of people and resources, geography has constantly provided the basic information for its sister sciences, economics, political science, sociology and demography, This book turns, attention to geography itself, in an incisive survey of the development of the discipline as a science. "A Hundred Years of Geography" draws together the threads of a century of progress, from the first scientific explorations and mappings to present-day trends toward specialization and generalization. It contains a synoptic view of the development of the various aspects of geography, showing how the field has been differentiated from associated disciplines and how it has differentiated and specialized within itself. The book also offers two important reference tools: a bibliography of the important geographical works published throughout the world, and biographical sketches of ninety important geographers. It is informative, stimulating, urbane and civilized reading, as well as being an excellent introductory text and reference work to recent scholarship in the field of geography.

The foundations of modern British geography are traced to follow its evolution from its fragile institutional origins through its important role in national planning during post war reconstruction.

Ultimately, Against the Map suggests that nation is forged not only in concert with the map but, just as important, against it.