Book Description

Geographic Information Systems and Science is a landmark in the evolution of GIS. It is a book that captures and redefines the richness and diversity of GIS, in an accessible form. It presents a clearly-defined path to a world of learning about GIS, using the Internet and closely-couples reference sources. It is richly produced and illustrated unlike any other in the field, with over 300 full color illustrations.

Geographic Information Systems and Science is unique in several ways. It presents comprehensive treatments of:
*Geographic Information Science - the scientific context to GIS, technical content and geographic implications
*The real value of GIS - illustrated using real world applications. Treatments emphasize operational, tactical and strategic issues
*The impact of Internet GIS on interdisciplinary science and society
*The pivotal role of GIS as a business driver in the information age - including the role of GIS as a business asset and the operational dynamics of its use in practice

The book is the first to provide a gateway to Internet-based classroom and distance learning. A series of modules of the ESRI Virtual Campus have been specially written around the material in this book, and detailed learning guides identify other on-line sources. Additional free supplementary reference material is available through a Web site dedicated to the book
Contents
The book begins by developing the themes of GI Systems and GI Science, and illustrates the practical value of GIS through real case studies. The major parts then consider:
*GIS Principles
*GIS Techniques
*GIS Practice

A concluding section anticipates the future of GIS and prospects for the people who use it.

This book is suitable for 2nd/3rd year undergraduates taking courses in GIS within departments of Geography, Environmental Science, Forestry, Business Studies and Economics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Planning, and Archaeology. It is also suitable as a foundation course taught in M.Sc. and other higher degree programs. Its user-friendly format is designed to appeal to professionals working for federal, state and local organizations.
Paul A. Longley - University College London,UK
David J. Maguire - ESRI, Redlands CA, USA
Michael F. Goodchild - University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
David W. Rhind - City University, London, UK ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good information, but strange use of the English language
This book is a textbook for a course I am taking. The information is good, but the writers use strange sentence construction from time to time, making the material hard to understand, and a rather dry.

Highly recommended by GIS instructor
I use this book to teach my university-level students. As someone who prefers a practical approach to GIS, but still wishes to back it up with theory, I have great appreciation for this book. It provides an excellent overview of topics relevant to GIS without overwhelming computer-wary students. Don't be fooled by the colorful, pretty pictures in this book,though-this is a serious primer on almost every theoretical topic related to GIS. My students tell me they especially like how much of the theory is backed up with practical examples. I especially recommend this book to GIS professionals who wish they had a background in Geography. It tells you everything you need to know and little that you don't.

One caveat-if you are not an ESRI user (ArcInfo, ArcView, ArcGIS) this may not be the book for you. Although other software packages are covered in the examples, the focus is heavily on ESRI.

The bar has been raised¿
For years I've searched for a GIS textbook comparable in scope and design to the standard Biology, Geography or Physics text. The existing GIS texts were either overly dense or painfully reductionist, lacked the interdisciplinary range necessary to fully represent the art of GISc, were minimally illustrated and designed, and generally failed to inspire students and practitioners alike. The new textbook by Longley, et al, challenges the conventions of the GISc textbook and in the process raises the bar on what we should expect from these texts.

A few of the features of this marvelous text: Illustrated in glorious full color, includes the range of fields and disciplines making use of GISc (Civil Engineering, Geography, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Business, etc.), presents GIS within its broader scientific context (the "GIScience" in the title), leads the reader through the discipline by first presenting the principles of the field, then the techniques, and finally gives real world examples in its practices section, written at a fundamental level yet doesn't shy away from advanced language and applications when appropriate.

A wonderful addition to GISc literature, I heartily recommend this text for any intermediate GISc course looking to explore the richness of this exciting field. ... Read more

Book Description

ArcGIS is the newest and most powerful GIS technology from ESRI, and this comprehensive reference teaches Geographic Information System (GIS) technology users the concepts and methods for its customization. As ArcObjects are the building blocks of COM-based ArcGIS software, GIS professionals are given an introduction to basic object-oriented programming concepts and the classes, properties, and methods that make ArcObjects unique. Also stressed are the use of Visual Basic for Applications and the use of ArcObjects to modify the ArcGIS interface, change its basic operations, and create entirely new functionality.

*NOTE* The book will not be published with a 180-day version of ArcView 8.1. It will include a CD with data needed to complete the exercises. The customer must own a licensed copy of ArcView, ArcEditor, or ArcInfo 8.3 or higher to run the exercises. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent for beginner
This is the book you need to start learning scripting for ArcGIS. It has an introductory chapter teaching about the basics of VB and then the Arc objects themselves. The examples are very clear and easy to follow. A very suitable book for people who doesn't know programming at all.

Good for beginners..
I'm using this book for a lab section of GeoComputation, and after working through the first few exercises and looking through the rest of the book, I am impressed.

The CD included with the book contains all of the data you'll need to complete the exercises. I found Burke's writing to be fluid and insightful. Each chapter begins with a good overview and background of what will be done. There are many diagrams, as well, so you can see the expected results.

This isn't a programming book in the C++ range. It is a book detailing how to customize and make ArcView 8.x work for you using Visual Basic for Applications. Recommended. Enjoy

definitely a good start!
Good place to start on ArcObjects. It primarily deals with the designing of interfaces, rather than using the commands for automation. Good intro to the concepts of the ArcMap Object model, properties, methods, and events...there's even a little blurb or cursors. Covers a little of ArcCatalog, too. Note: ArcTools DOES NOT follow the ArcObject Model...so if you are looking for properties, methods and events pertaining to this, I guess wait 'til ArcGIS 9. Also, there are no scripting cabilities similar to AML...you'll have to wait 'til ArcGIS 9, where python is used as the scripting language to replace AML. Also, does not address OOP concepts on the GeoDatabase model very much...but this book is definately better than Getting to Know ArcGIS ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A very descriptive intro to ArcGIS
This is a very good beginers book to have around even if you are not taking the class. There is a lot of very helpful resources throughout the book.
It comes with a CD and has an interactive feel. ... Read more

Book Description

The official guide to Hadrian’s Wall Path, England’s newest National Trail, which follows the ancient Roman wall from coast to coast. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Well illustrated, well written - just like being there
This is a great travel book, a synthesis of fine writing, beautiful color pictures, and excellent Ordnance Survey maps. It pulls a region together and makes it feel like you are there.

Starting with a few wide range maps and a bit of history, this National Trail Guide sets the context of Hadrian's Wall in time and in space, both how to get there, and why you would want to visit. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a British National Trail (one of 13), and an important historical site, Hadrian's Wall offers many beautiful natural vistas, archaeological and Roman historical sites, and a cross section of British city, town, and country life. All arranged in a linear 84 mile (135 km) national park.

The book assumes a walking tour, with an introduction, 6 descriptive tour chapters, and a few sections on resources and additonal reading. The most interesting parts for me are the 6 tours. Each chapter is nicely arranged with a map or photo per page with descriptive text along side.

The Ordnance Survey maps are the best in the world - very readable and clear. This book reprints the 1:25,000 maps verbatim, the same as you get at Ordnance Survey Get-a-Map ( http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/). Similarly, the photos of buildings and vistas along the wall are well done - colorful and excellent resolution.

However, what is most impressive is the prose that winds along the maps and photos. "Where the verge path ends, cross the stile and continue on the footpath inside the wall. Now having joined the field, the Vallum looks even more impressive." Reading the words and following along the maps makes the tour completely life-like for me, making me feel like I am walking along with a tour guide.

The book is printed on thick paper with nicely embossed textured heavy-stock cover stock. The page corners are rounded nicely. Completely high quality.

Perhaps the book can be improved by more depth. I would love to read a bit more about the pubs or the sleeping accomodations. However, I too understand that this information would change quickly or perhaps be a bit too partisan.

In the end, the book makes me want to revisit the area. It also makes me want to get other titles in the series such as Offa's Dyke, The Pennine Way, or The Thame's Path - place I have never been. For me that is the mark of a true travelogue: it makes you want to rush out and see the place firsthand. ... Read more

Book Description

The few coesite-bearing outcrops have conventionally beenconsidered as anomalies but the number of orogenic belts that containdiamond, coesite or other indications of metamorphic pressures>2Gpa has increased to more than 15. This indicates that subduction of continental fragments to depths of100-150 km may have played a significant role in the formationof mountain belts. This volume brings together the geochemical, geophysical andgeodynamical approaches to study the processes active duringultrahigh-pressure (UHP) tectonics. The collection of papers demarkates the frontier of our understandingof the creation, preservation, and exhumation of ultrahigh-pressurerocks. Audience: This volume will be of interest to any earth scientistinterested in ultrahigh pressure processes and the formation andmodification of continental crust. ... Read more

Book Description

Geography is more than just trivia, it can help you understand why we import or export certain products, predict climate change, and even show you where to place fire and police stations when planning a city.

If you’re curious about the world and want to know more about this fascinating place, Geography For Dummies is a great place to start. Whether you’re sixteen or sixty, this fun and easy guide will help you make more sense of the world you live in.

Geography For Dummies gives you the tools to interpret the Earth’s grid, read and interpret maps, and to appreciate the importance and implications of geographical features such as volcanoes and fault lines. Plus, you’ll see how erosion and weathering have and will change the earth’s surface and how it impacts people. You’ll get a firm hold of everything from the physical features of the world to political divisions, population, culture, and economics. You’ll also discover:

• How you can have a rainforest on one side of a mountain range and a desert on the other
• How ocean currents help to determine the geography of climates
• How to choose a good location for a shopping mall
• How you can properly put the plant to good use in everything you do
• How climate affects humans and how humans have affected the climate
• How human population has spread and the impact it has had on our world

Book Description

Berlitz Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships 2005 ... Read more

Book Description

Studying Cultural Landscapes combines a collection of lively and engaging essays covering the symbolic reading of a wide variety of landscapes. It offers historical, cultural, political, visual and poetic perspectives, offering analyses of landscape forms from the rural to the celluloid. Essential reading for any student of cultural geography, as well as students taking related interdisciplinary subjects, who would like to explore the multiple meaning of landscape. ... Read more

Book Description

Work on evolution on islands has a long-established biogeographical pedigree, stretching back to the work of Darwin and Wallace. Research generated ideas, theories, and models which have played a central role in the development of mainstream ecology, evolutionary biology, and biogeography.

Island Biogeography is a new textbook, aimed at advanced undergraduates and graduate students. This is the first comprehensive book to be written on the topic since 1981. It provides a much needed synthesis of recent development across the discipline, linking current theoretical debates with applied island ecology. Some themes that the book covers include: the nature and formationof island environments, island ecological theories concerning species numbers, species assembly, and composition, and an assessment of the human impact on island biodiversity.

Written by an author who has been researching and teaching biogeography for many years, Island Biogeography is wide-ranging, authoritative, and accessible to students from across geography and the life sciences. This is the first truly modern textbook on a fascinating and important subject in evolution and ecology. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent, well-organised and highly-readable
This book is an excellent and much-needed textbook of Island Biogeography. The approach taken by Dr. Whittaker blends detail and overview, and the book is well-organised, informative and interesting. He says at the beginning of the book that he hopes to "provide access for students of differing backgrounds and disciplines to the full array of island biogeographical themes and issues." I think this book does just that.

The book starts by stressing the importance of islands as arenas for the study of the natural world: 'natural laboratories' in which the complexity of nature may be simplified, enabling the development and testing of theories of general importance. Dr. Whittaker then moves from the general and long-term (beginning with the physical and biological properties of islands themselves) to the more specific and shorter-term (including island evolution, species richness and endemism, and island theories). He finishes by applying the theories and insights gained from work on islands to present-day conservation issues.

There is sufficient detail to give the reader a fair understanding of the issues addressed, but never so much that the text gets dull or bogged. Throughout, the book is well-referenced, with appropriate and informative references, and provides plenty of encouragement for the reader to delve further into the literature. Considerable clarity is achieved, even when discussing complicated and contentious issues, and on many occasions Dr. Whittaker demonstrates his considerable ability to be insightful and pertinent. He maintains a fair and balanced outlook, even when he addresses opinions and authors that oppose his own work. There is also an air of pragmatism to his arguments that others would do well to emulate. This is borne out, for instance, in his treatment of the SLOSS (single large or several small nature reserves) debate, and in the way he manages to reconcile a number of dichotomies in the literature by noting that various apparently-conflicting theories actually represent different points along continua. As might be expected from the background of the author, Chapters 7 and 8, which deal with island ecological theory, are particularly impressive: erudite and authoritative, while still being interesting and highly readable. These chapters deal with areas in which Dr. Whittaker is well known for his professional contribution (in which he has published papers of considerable international repute).

Overall, I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in island biogeography. Written primarily as a textbook for undergraduate students, it will provide very sound reading for students encountering the subject for the first time. It will be all the more useful for the fact that (to my knowledge), there is no other textbook written within the last 20 years that covers an equivalent subject area. But it will also interest experts in the field, who may well learn something from it, as well as finding it a useful reference for related literature. It will be a good addition to any science-related library, as well as to the personal collections of students of relevant subjects. ... Read more

Book Description

Extending ArcView GIS is the companion workbook to ESRI's best-selling Getting to Know ArcView GIS. Taking up where that book leaves off, it explores the three most popular ESRI ArcView GIS extensions - ArcView Network Analyst, ArcView Spatial Analyst, and ArcView 3D Analyst. You'll complete dozens of step-by-step exercises in the course of solving a variety of GIS problems. Concepts are presented concisely and in context, while color graphics reinforce your progress at every stage.

The exercises in this book require that you have ArcView GIS 3.1 software.To complete each of the three sections, you'll also need the appropriate extension software - ArcView Network Analyst 1.0b for the Network Analyst section, ArcView Spatial Analyst 1.1 for the ArcView Spatial Analyst section, and ArcView 3D Analyst 1 for the 3D Analyst section. Each section is self-contained and uses only the extension software it describes. The accompanying CD contains 90 megabytes of spatial data used in the exercises.

Extending ArcView GIS includes comprehensive descriptions of the dozens of other extensions that work with ArcView GIS, as well as a preview of ModelBuilder, the automated spatial modeling system that's part of Spatial Analyst 2.0.Every exercise in the book provides detailed instructions, but you'll be on firmer ground if you're already familiar with basic GIS concepts and ArcView GIS operations. If you're new to GIS, you'll benefit by reading Getting to Know ArcView GIS first.

Some of the exercises use modified or fictional GIS data. And while most of the problems you'll solve are less intricate than those you might face in the real world, the approaches and methods you'll employ are the same. Of course, it can't be said that Extending ArcView GIS will teach you everything there is to know about ArcView Network Analyst, ArcView Spatial Analyst, or ArcView 3D Analyst.The curvature of the earth limits the distance you can see on even the clearest day, and this book, too, is a kind of curved surface. By the time you finish it, however, you'll have seen a good deal. And you'll be ready to climb higher, and see farther, on your own.

For more information on each extension please read the Excerpt section of this page. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

decent intro to the extentions
The Spatial Analyst Portion was very useful. I don't use network analyst. Could be a little more indepth with the 3D Analyst portion. All in all, a very useful book.

Dr.FAD
The authors are professionals both in GIS and teaching. I enjoyed the text so much. The examples are very well designed.The problem is the extensions that did not work on my PC-may be due to windows XP, so I used my original extensions.
One good thing in this book is the explanation of the other extensions-in brief ,of course.

Very useful introduction to ArcView extensions
I agree that this book is best purchased as a tutorial, not a manual. It is an excellent tutorial - easy to understand, with very useful and realistic examples. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about these extensions. Unlike a previous reviewer, I had no problems with the 120 day trial versions of the extensions software. I have ArcView 3.2 and operate on Windows 98. I don't believe they are compatible with Windows 2000 or XP, as I tried to install network analyst first on an XP machine and got an error message that the network analyst (at least this particular trial version) was not compatible with Windows 2000, and I didn't try the others after that.

ArcView Extensions - book good, disk bad
This book is actually better with explanations than the manual that comes with ArcView. The tutorials for using the extensions are good. My problem with the book is the disk that comes with it (and you really need a copy of the extensions to really learn them). The disk supposedly contains extension trials - 120 days for each of the three extensions. Trouble is none of them worked! The Network Analyst and the Spatial Analyst wouldn't load completely. And the 3D Analyst caused a fatal error, and shut down the program. So, the book is good - maybe worth the price. Maybe. However, the "free disk trial" is lousy.

An excellent book for learning ArcView's extensions
As a graduate student in the University of Florida's Urban and Regional Planning Department. I've been fortunate enough to take a lot of GIS courses at the GeoPlan Center (www.geoplan.ufl.edu). This book, Extending ArcView GIS, has helped me reach my full potential in my courses. ... Read more

Book Description

The use of geosensors, including GPS receivers, micro-sensors for biological and chemical substance monitoring, and still and video cameras, has steadily increased, and therefore a new paradigm for geocomputation is required. Sensor-Based Distribution Geocomputing addresses issues related to the collection, analysis, management and delivery of geospatial data using distributed geosensors. Geocomputation can be used to collect this kind of data from multiple sources over a broad geographic area, and to enable the data's dissemination to multiple users. It draws on computer science, addressing issues like mobile and wireless computing, location-based services and products, spatiotemporal analysis, automated updating of geospatial databases, VR modeling, computer vision and real-time databases. Noted experts have written a significant reference volume that will serve a wide range of researchers and practitioners in the geospatial community. INV STAT: Not yet published ... Read more

Book Description

Uses case studies to examine the various applications of each type of geographic information.
* Considers geographic information as a technical problem, an empowering application, a pure science endeavor, an academic pursuit and a social necessity.
* Provides a wide range of examples and applications to help readers understand technical discussions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An excellent second book for learning GIS
OK, so you've figured out how to drive the software and you've learnt the basic operations. Now, what does it all mean? This book is a great attempt to answer that question.
Nick Chrisman has drawn on his wealth of GIS experience to go beyond the basics. Don't expect to learn them here, you'll have to do that elsewhere. But when it gets down to just what it means, this is the place to be.
If you want GIS to work in a decision-making environment (which is 100% of its real applications, after all), learn from this book. We have used it as the second GIS text at The Ohio State University's Geodetic Science graduate program, and the students have appreciated its approach and content.
BTW, get the second edition (2002), noted here as 'Wie Exploring GIS' for some reason.

Outstanding high-level overview
I am an experienced GIS professional and this book is one of my favorites in my library. It is the best single source for understanding the scientific and technological context of GIS. This book has changed the way I think about GIS.

The comment from the reader from Hong Kong is completely off-target. Did this person really read this book?

A pathetic attempt to cover the subject.
The author ought to stick to romance novels.

Excellent overview of Geographic Information Systems
Nick Chrisman, a legend in the field of geographic information systems, provides a refreshing perspective on GIS. I recommend this book to anyone involved in the field, particularly to those planning on teaching GIS. He places GIS in a societal context that is becoming increasing important as this technology becomes mainstream ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Jim
It is unfortunate the turn that the field of Geography has made into the Marxist realm. While the academic side of geography takes comfort in the "feel good" ideas of this approach, it serves no purpose in advancing relevant work.

Do your self a favor - skip this book and go buy an old copy (prior to 1970) of almost any geography text. You will be much better served.

Brilliant revitalization of Geography
The influence of David Harvey on the academic discipline of geography cannot be overstated. With incredibly perseverance, Harvey called for greater ethical commitment right from the 1970s which saw the beginning of his career. This book charts the course of his views as they change from then till now. Before I tell you what the book is about, let me say a few words about the style: Harvey writes in incredibly moving and deceptively simple prose (though his ideas are as complicated as any of the Continental thinkers who dominate elite theory today). In a community of theorists who rival each other in being prolix and obscure, this is truly refreshing.

The first part of the book contains several essays, written between 1974 and 2000, all exploring two key themes:1) the discipline of geography and its relevance to today and 2) the nexus between certain forms of geographical knowledge and political power. Some essays are absolute gems. Specially noteworthy are the last two: City and Social Justice, and Cartographic Identities. In the first, Harvey theorizes the possibility of radical urban grassroots movements and the conditions for their 'success' (a bit problematic it must be admitted with its urbanist telos, specially for someone from the economic South like me) and in the second, he envisions a program for a synthetic study of (mostly mutually noncompatible) geographical knowledges constitued at different institutional sites (academic, the State apparatus, transnational orgs like IMF etc, multinational corporations, military, popular knowledge etc etc) as a task for geographers of the near future.

The second set of essays try with great skill (though it must be admitted that to someone not overly familiar with the historical-materialist tradition, they are hard to get through) to insert the thematics of space (especially important when one considers the growing unequality of development in today's world and the international (gendered) division of labor)in a historical-materialist tradition with the project of founding a historico-geographical materialist tradition.

In any case, WHATEVER your background read this book. You may not agree with everything but it will trulymake you question a lot of your received notions. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Why the physical, tangible, real world is the way it is.
This excellent textbook is less than 300 pages, and yet I didn't feel like I learned any less than someone who read a 1000 page textbook on the same subject.This is a comprehensive, introductory volume that is, surprisingly for a textbook, extremely well written. This book delivered Biogeography to my mind, and my great teacher Dr Patrick Armstrong of Univeristy of Western Australia made it come alive in my head.Everything you need to lead you into the fascinating study of our tangible world is here.Read it! ... Read more

Book Description

Datums and Map Projections is a practical guide for those working with spatiallyreferenced dataand the problems that may be associated with datums and map projections. Without assuming any prior knowledge on the part of the reader, the book focuses on solving the problems encountered when combining datafrom different sources, and explores short cuts applicable when complete information is available. Many practical examples, extensive case studies, and appendices of essential formulae complementthe text. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

See Under the Hood
Just enough math to let the user know what is at work. Good for beginners in spatial data and can then move into authors like Tobler. Chapter 5 is an excellent primer of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and discusses the importance in defining datums. All the case studies are located in the UK but can easily be applied to any location.

This book gives you just enough information to teach yourself basic projection transforms and the nuts and bolts of how they work.

Great Book for Beginners
The author has provided us with a very good book that introduces many concepts in remote sensing and GIS related to datums and map projections. The book is a great reference too. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

It is a reference.
If you want to learn this much GIS terminology, you have to read hundereds of pages of ESRI's guide or reference books. This is an excellent reference in GIS literature that introduces hundereds of terms in a reasonable size and good price. The author went to the very corners of GIS-data-base structure. For any GIS-term you can find an illustration and explanation. The text is clearly written by an ArcInfo User that is some how "heavy". However,as an ArcGIS/ArcView user it was useful for me. The book title is somehow misleading at the first glance, but when you go inside, you can see no other title can fit this topic. BUY IT, if you want to know the GIS terminology to the extreme details, including backgrounds, comparative explanations and so on. DON'T BUY IT, if you want to do GIS modelling buy reading this book, as the text is mostly concentrates on data base.

Great content--needs better index
I really like this book... It's well-written, and I am finding it helpful for understanding some of the concepts new to the world of ArcGIS.

HOWEVER, to be a useful reference, there needs to be a much, much larger and comprehensive index. That's plain frustrating.

Nicely produced but disappointing content
I am having a hard time imagining who this book would be useful for. If you are new to GIS, the explanations are pretty dry and contain a good deal of jargon, and there are absolutely NO examples or how-to's. You cannot read this book and expect to learn to do even the simplest operation in GIS. Moreover, without concrete examples, its hard to conceptualize how it all fits together. On the other hand, for someone like me, pretty familiar with basic GIS but wanting to get into more depth, it was too elementary and repetitive. For example, I can't count how many times the author says there are 3 basic kinds of data in a geodatabase... Except for the last 3 chapters (rasters, TINs and location finders) there was little I didn't already know, at least intuitively.

The book is very nicely produced, however. It gives the feel of Powerpoint slides plus the narrative you would hear if you went to an ESRI workshop. Literally every piece of information is explained both graphically and in the text. And of course as software books go, its not too expensive. However, you can get most of this information for free, from the extensive help files that come with ArcView -- plus examples and how-to-use-the-software instructions.

If you're just getting started with GIS, there are lots of getting-started books out there. If you need a lot of depth, try Zeiler's ArcObjects 2-volume set (yes, same author, but much more meaty).

Good book
This is a good book to learn geodatabase. I expect the author to add more explanations and examples about modeling geodatabase.

Zeiler knows GIS
This book works very well for people new to GIS as well as experienced users. The fundamentally important concepts to GIS are explained both generally as well as from within the perspective of the new ESRI ArcInfo 8 software. Difficult and new concepts such as versioning, geometric networks, and raster imagery are particularly well explained. The book is not a software user manual, but rather an explanation of the fundamental GIS concepts, particularly those important to the new Geodatabase.

The book is a veritable corucopia of colorful graphics, figures, and imagery. Many readers will be able to achieve an 80% understanding of the material merely by closely studying the figures and examples - kind of the National Geographic "read the captions" approach.

The text contains lots of class/component diagrams that give a very good overview of the underlaying Geodatabase software architecture. This is a book that I will use and refer back to on a frequent basis. Rock on! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

What makes a good downtown, and why? Are today's downtowns, with their waterfront parks, festival markets, sports arenas, and cultural centers, more vibrant and lively than the "central business districts" of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries? Was there ever a "golden age" of downtowns? In this book, noted urban scholar Larry Ford casts a critical and practiced eye on sixteen contemporary urban centers to offer an expert's view of the best--and worst--of downtown America.

Ford begins with a brief history of U.S. urban development. He then explains his criteria for evaluating downtowns before proceeding with an on-the-street examination of the featured sixteen cities. Each is rated based on use of physical site, particularly for housing (unlike suburbs, Ford notes, most downtowns are located in challenging physical locales, such as harbors, rivers, hills, or peninsulas), street morphology, civic space, functional aspects (office space, retail stores, and convention centers), and the support districts in the fringe areas surrounding the downtown core. Ford concludes with a suggested model of downtown structure based upon the case studies and with a look at the possible effects of increasing globalization on the downtowns of the late twenty-first century. This book will appeal to those interested in urban studies, landscape studies, American studies, architecture, historic preservation and planning, and urban geography.

Featured cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, San Antonio, San Diego, Seattle, and St. Louis ... Read more

Book Description