Fundamentals of physical geography

by David J. Briggs, Peter Smithson

This primary text, designed for undergraduate courses, provides a modern approach to the fundamentals of physical geography by linking process, form, and effect. The authors explore the natural world as a series of systems and consider the relationship between the different components of each. They examine, in turn, the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, providing a thorough discussion of their composition and the ways in which their interaction forms our global environment. Throughout, the authors demonstrate the role of humanity in influencing the physical environment and the ways in which we are affected by our surroundings. Clearly written and lavishly illustrated with maps, drawings, photographs, and charts, "Fundamentals of Physical Geography is an ideal text."

Paperback

First published January 28, 1989

About the author

David Briggs was brought up as the son of a farm-worker in Kent and Sussex, in England, where he gained his love of the countryside. After a career in academia, during which he published widely on the topics of geography, environmental science and environmental health, he took early retirement and moved to New Zealand, where he now lives.

He has always enjoyed writing, and as an escape from university work wrote a number of short stories and children’s stories. An early novel, Figures in a Tuscan Garden, written while he was still working in universities, was short-listed for the UK Constable Trophy but never submitted for publication. Since moving to New Zealand, he has devoted himself to writing novels and poetry. Since moving to New Zealand, he has devoted himself to writing fiction and poetry.

By the Tracks We Leave was self-published through CreateSpace. The Direction of Our Fear was published by BMS Books, in New Zealand, in 2016. The Claim, which was long-listed for the inaugural Michael Gifkins prize in 2018, was published by UK publishers RedDoor in 2019.