Preface
Why Geography Matters... More Than Ever!
Reading Maps and Facing Threats
Earth's Changeable Environments
Climate and Civilization
A Future Geography of Human Population
The Mesh of Civilizations
Red Star Rising: China's Geopolitical Gauntlet
Terrorism's Widening Circle
From Terrorism to Insurgency
European Superpower?
Russia: Trouble on the Eastern Front
Hope for Africa?
Epilogue
Harm de Blij is John A. Hannah Professor at Michigan State University. He was the popular Geography Editor on ABC's "Good Morning America" for seven years, worked at NBC News as Geography Analyst, and was the writer of and commentator for the original PBS Series "The Power of Place." The author of over 30 books, he is an honorary life member of the National Geographic Society.
"Remarkable.... A friendly and accessible reader for those who have
a basic grasp of some of the concepts of geography and who want to
understand where the world is headed. It is also an urgent call to
educators across the United States to restore the study of
geography to the nation's schools.... A powerful and deeply
personal writer, de Blij discusses his own background in detail and
fills the book with anecdotes from his experience. This makes for
an
entertaining and enlightening trek."--David J. Smith, Christian
Science Monitor
"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
hopeful. If you think that geography makes your eyes glaze over,
try this book and you'll discover insights you've never encountered
before."--David Miller, Senior Editor, National Geographic Maps
"Harm de Blij packs so much useful information and so many
thoughtful insights into Why Geography Matters that the book is
indispensable to those seeking to understand our complex, changing
world. The United States State Department would be well served to
make this book required reading for all newly recruited foreign
service officers and diplomats--and it is strongly recommended for
all citizens.... de Blij demonstrates persuasively how the tools
and
findings of geographers are indispensable in understanding the
world today. In its scope, analytical balance, power, originality,
and readability, Why Geography Matters is a matchless book; the
riveting chapter
on Africa is the best summation of the continent's past and
prospects I have ever read."--Willard DePree, Former United States
Ambassador to Mozambique and Bangladesh, On Special Assignment to
the Department of State
"De Blij writes from a conviction that not only the American public
but also government officials can be dangerously ignorant of basic
geography, so to enlighten them he discusses three topics with
national security implications. His tour of Islamic radicalism has
the most immediate relevance and, buttressed by a profusion of
maps, it covers Afghanistan, Iraq, the Islamic "front" in
sub-Saharan Africa, and--Paraguay? Learning the significance of
that outlier to
the geography of Islamic terrorism (as well as its unappeasable
aims) typifies many of de Blij's informational surprises, which are
arranged clearly and spiced with the author's allusions to his
career and travels."--Booklist
"If the author did nothing more than evince the extent to which
geography is political destiny, he would have accomplished a
worthwhile objective. But he succeeds in much more, raising
thought-provoking issues on global warming, terrorism, China's
ascendancy, Europe's future, Russia's role, and Africa's prospects,
issues our legislative and executive branches of government as well
as members of the media need to consider in geographic perspective.
Every person
responsible for making public policy, as well as those who
interpret these complex issues for the public, should read this
book."--Anthony H. Ewing, former Director of the Committee on
Research
Coordination for the Science Advisor, Office of Science and
Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President
"Illuminating perspective...splendid maps...useful
methodology...extremely well-informed."--Publishers Weekly
"[Here], de Blij argues that geographic ignorance is a more serious
problem than many people think. De Blij, an accomplished academic
and regular television geography analyst, writes that by gaining a
greater working knowledge of geography, Americans will be better
suited to deal with the problems facing the country and the world.
De Blij makes a good case for geography's importance. [His]
treatment of this subject is particularly refreshing.--San
Francisco
Chronicle
"If we could mandate reading material for our leaders, [this] would
be at or near the top of the list. It provides a plethora of
insights."--Cape Cod Chronicle
"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
hopeful. If you think that geography makes your eyes glaze over,
try this book and you'll discover insights you've never encountered
before."--David Miller, Senior Editor, National Geographic Maps
"Remarkable.... A friendly and accessible reader for those who have
a basic grasp of some of the concepts of geography and who want to
understand where the world is headed. It is also an urgent call to
educators across the United States to restore the study of
geography to the nation's schools.... A powerful and deeply
personal writer, de Blij discusses his own background in detail and
fills the book with anecdotes from his experience. This makes for
an
entertaining and enlightening trek."--David J. Smith, Christian
Science Monitor
"Harm de Blij packs so much useful information and so many
thoughtful insights into Why Geography Matters that the book is
indispensable to those seeking to understand our complex, changing
world. The United States State Department would be well served to
make this book required reading for all newly recruited foreign
service officers and diplomats--and it is strongly recommended for
all citizens.... de Blij demonstrates persuasively how the tools
and
findings of geographers are indispensable in understanding the
world today. In its scope, analytical balance, power, originality,
and readability, Why Geography Matters is a matchless book; the
riveting chapter
on Africa is the best summation of the continent's past and
prospects I have ever read."--Willard DePree, Former United States
Ambassador to Mozambique and Bangladesh, On Special Assignment to
the Department of State
"Nobody knows how to explain the importance of geographic literacy
to citizens and leaders of the United States better than Harm de
Blij. As the NBC News "geography analyst" explains in his 30th
book, "Why Geography Matters," geography is much more than
memorizing mountain ranges and estuaries."--Pittsburgh Tribune
Review
"De Blij argues that most people in the United States, including
the country's elected officials, are dangerously ignorant of basic
geography. The consequence, he writes, is that leaders lack
insights to connections in a world facing climate change,
overpopulation, and the continuing threat of terrorism."--Science
News
"eloquent and encyclopedic" --The New Yorker
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