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Why Geography Matters: Three Challenges Facing America: Climate Change, the Rise of China, and Global Terrorism. By HARM DE BLIJ Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, 308 pp. £15.99 ISBN 978 0 1951 8301 6
Given its provocative title, the impressive credentials and experiences of its renowned author, and the high scholarly standards of its publisher's imprint, is there any academic geographer who might not be tempted to read this book? Those who do will quickly realise that Why Geography Matters does not aim to satisfy their intellectual curiosity or enrich their knowledge. The shaky and yet straightforward premise of Why Geography Matters is that geographic illiteracy in America constitutes a national security risk. EU geographers who may find this claim audacious, incredible and amusing perhaps have their fingers too lightly on the pulse of post-9/11 America. The author, who knows his Americans well, confidently pitches this stale lament of geography's neglected worth to an angst-ridden audience with confidence, relying on his alarmist spin of the prevailing fear factor. Critical readers in academia may carp about this book, yet the targeted audience will probably continue to love the author for his apparent ease in their presence, his knowing ambiance and zeal. He is, after all, Harm de Blij.
Born in the Netherlands, de Blij was inspired early on by the successful career path of his countryman Hendrik van Loon - which...