Lost Geographies of Power

by John Allen

This original study explores the difference that space and spatiality make to the understanding of power.

Genres: Geography, Nonfiction, Politics

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Rhys Vaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books where I kept thinking “this is really interesting” and “please use a normal sentence” at exactly the same time.

I really liked the central argument — particularly the idea that power isn't necessarily somewhere in the obvious sense. It can operate through networks, relationships, distance, mobility and the ability to affect things without physically being present.

The bits about how we think about geographical distance were probably what interested me most. Geography isn't just about where things are; it's also about who can reach whom, who has influence, and how that influence travels.

There are some genuinely useful ideas here, and I can see why this is an important human geography text.

But it is very theoretical.

I spent quite a lot of this feeling like I understood what Allen was saying, only to reach the next paragraph and realise he'd found a new way of saying it.

Probably much more useful for me than enjoyable.

Still glad I read it.