I've been reading this book by Harm de Blij for the past week and have found it surprisingly riveting. Granted, I'm a map fiend and am predisposed to being interested in geography. Nevertheless, the breadth and relevance of this book surprised me. De Blij shows again and again how an examination of geography can add immeasurably to our ability to comprehend complex global issues. He examines a unifying Europe, rising China, chaotic Russia, troubled Africa, global climate change, and the threat of terrorism, and reveals surprising connections between all of these matters, showing how and why geographic literacy is critical to America's national security.
Another book by de Blij is waiting on my reading table, The Power of Place.
3 comments:
I find your reading interesting and you are making a good speach for the book....and the other book too...you make me curious...
Sounds fascinating. We had new neighbors a few years back who did not understand the traditional boundary lines between BFs house and their driveway. They thought the map that was housed in the county building was the last word ! Imagine ! Anyway they went and fiercely whacked a bush back !
Love your neighbor story. I had a neighbor who brought in a surveyor every time we added anything to our property. Maps are not benign. They can be used in all sorts of ways.
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