Key Thinkers on Space and Place
- Phil Hubbard - Kings College, London, UK, Loughborough University, UK, University of Kent, UK
- Rob Kitchin - Maynooth University, Ireland, NUI Maynooth, Ireland
Cultural Theory | Geographic Thought | Human Geography | Human Geography | Sociological Theory
With concise, uniform entries throughout, the portrait of each thinker comprises:
- biographical information and theoretical context
- an explication of their contribution to spatial thinking
- an overview of key advances and controversies
- bibliographies of primary and secondary literature
As a primer on the spatial imagination, the text illustrates the diverse ways that space and place can be theorized: from humanism to Marxism, feminism to post-structuralism, queer theory to post-colonialism. The book will be an indispensable purchase not just for geographers, but for all those interested in theories of space and place - whether in geography, sociology, urban studies, cultural studies, or anthropology.
The best encyclopaedic tool for human geographers since the Dictionary of Human Geography. It is hugely useful for students who want an easy way to access the roots of the major themes and debates in contemporary geography
Stuart Aitken
San Diego State University
Space is now at the forefront of the social sciences and humanities. This compendium sets out the twists and turns of the thinkers who brought us to this place. In doing so, it sets out an effervescent intellectual landscape. Invaluable
Professor Nigel Thrift
Vice-Chancellor, University of Warwick
A most welcome and expanded version of the original Key Thinkers, this work more than any other guides readers through the complex theoretical landscape of space and place. An outstanding volume that articulates, through analyses of the visionary writings of some of the most important theorists in and beyond geography, the migrations of thought produced around our most important objects of analysis. The contributors excel in this effort
Professor John-Paul Jones III
University of Arizona, USA
The second edition of Key Thinkers on Space and Place sharpens and refines its project. Written in highly accessible language, the book will be a dependable source of inspiration and reflection to anyone with an interest in space and place as knowledge categories
Professor Richard Le Heron
University of Auckland, New Zealand
This is a helpfully updated version of an already well-researched and accessibly written text. As with the first edition, this version is invaluable for anyone seeking to understand the life and work of key thinkers who have shaped the "spatial turn" in the social sciences. It recognizes the contributions of those from all the major intellectual traditions from positivism to post-structuralism, and from a variety of disciplines, from geographers, anthropologists, economists, philosophers and more. And it consciously acknowledges intellectual traditions beyond the Anglo-American academy
Lily Kong
Professor of Geography, National University of Singapore
An accessible, authoritative and comprehensive introduction to the individuals who have shaped contemporary geographical thought. The book covers an impressive and thought-provoking selection of thinkers and writers, representing a variety of traditions and approaches. Each of the sixty-six entries provides a lively summary of the subject's life and work, and an expert critical analysis of their contribution to spatial theory. Key Thinkers on Space and Place is an invaluable reference resource for students of Human Geography and anyone interested in the development of spatial theory
Professor Michael Woods
Aberyswyth University
"Key Thinkers on Space and Place" is an excellent text for a prompt and precise overview of the most important themes of the city and contemporary architecture. Although Zevi is missing, it remains a fundamental text for the analysis of architecture and the contemporary built environment, the contributions on scholars of postmodern geography and post-structuralism, in general, are well articulated, with an excellent essential bibliography and interesting food for thought. A fundamental text to understand the relationship between community, society, space and city.
I believe this book is a key resource for any subject dealing with the concepts of space and place. It highlights the key thinkers on these topics, and gives a very clear synopsis of each along with additional resources to follow up on. Definitely a book to add to your collection.
This is an excellent reference text and primer, but it has also inspired my work in surprising ways. For instance, the other day, while writing a draft for an article, I needed to clarify my understanding of a theorist. Not only was I able to do that with this text, I was also able to flip around in the book (using the index) to learn of other theorists and work that I was unfamiliar with. Each entry contextualises the theorists in terms of socio-historical context. The entries also articulate the main theoretical contributions to the field, as well as main texts to read. Highly recommend.
Very good collection of texts on key thinkers on space and place, makes it a very useful supplementary source for my introductory module on urban identities.
A good text. Would be a good supplement to current core reading for the unit.
This is a useful theoretical text for backing up practical work and offers exciting ways of framing new geographies.
great book for BA- students.
A broad range of contributors, some chapters more accessible and relevant than others.
A unique book to discover the roles of prominent figures in geography.
Fully revised and updated, this new edition includes 14 additional chapters including entries on Saskia Sassen, Tim Ingold,
Cindi Katz and John Urry.
