The Geographical Tradition

by David N. Livingstone

The Geographical Tradition presents the history of an essentially contested tradition. By examining a series of key episodes in geography's history since 1400, Livingstone argues that the messy contingencies of history are to be preferred to the manufactured idealizations of the standard chronicles. Throughout, the development of geographical thought and practice is portrayed against the background of the broader social and intellectual contexts of the times. Among the topics investigated are geography during the Age of Reconnaissance, the Scientific Revolution and The Englightenment; subsequently geography's relationships with Darwinism, imperialism, regionalism, and quantification are elaborated.

Genres: Geography, History, Nonfiction

443 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 1992

About the author

David Noel Livingstone is a Northern Ireland-born geographer, historian, and academic. He is Professor of Geography and Intellectual History at Queen's University Belfast.

Educated at Banbridge Academy and Queen's University Belfast (B.A., Ph.D.). Following graduation, he continued at Queen's as a Research Officer and Lecturer, becoming Reader and then full Professor. He has held visiting professorships at Calvin College, Michigan, University of British Columbia, University of Notre Dame, and Baylor University.

Reviews

[Matt Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not recommended for anyone other than those interested in the philosophy of geography, which I don't expect any of my followers are. However, in the rare event that there is someone interested in this topic; this is probably one of the best resources I know.

[Sebastian Alvarez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too dense and assumed a previous knowledge of historical figures. Sentiments were shared by my classmates. Transitions were very good though and some cool discussions on Darwinism and Lamarckism.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good outline of the field of geography concentrating on the 19th and 20th centuries. I especially enjoyed learning about how Larmarkism/Darwinism are tied to geography and seeing how the field developed in the recent modern era. The book seems to skip explaining the last 30 years all together. Too difficult to add Post-modernism to the story?

[Hope JH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good at international Western development of geography. Written in 92 so left out a lot of modern stuff from the 60s and 70s movements. I would have liked to see any mention of the impact of women or POC. For all the description of the beginning of Nazi ideology it ignores the huge impact of women and geography? And no impact on or from identity which was weird. Would have liked to see social movements' impact too, bc the impact of Social Darwinism and Naziism etc was mentioned and important. Overall really good primer and explained many interactions between different Western countries and geographers well. Pretty easy to read.


For my History and Philosophy of Geography class.

[Max · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. Gag me with a spoon. Not exactly beach reading.

[Bojan Fürst · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a love-hate relationship with this book. If you are going to read it or have to read it, do yourself a favour and read the first chapter first.

[Bridgette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like others, a love-hate relationship. Extraordinary amount of important information for geographers, but at times, painful to get through.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but ultimately useless. What is context anyway?