Three challenges facing America: Climate change, the rise of China, and Global terrorism

This is the first edition of this outstanding book, published in Sept. 2005. The 2nd edition, under the name "Why Geography Matters: More Than Ever" was just released yesterday (8/18/2012), providing a needed update. The book more than succeeds in answering the title question, and provides an answer in remarkable depth for a not-that-long book. Guess I now need to find the new edition. ( )

This is a work that is at war with itself. An intriguing title, geography, climate, China, and global terrorism, all beckon the reader, yet de Blij fails to reconcile these discordant topics although it is an interesting exercise. He states the obvious: geography matters a great deal yet many people are ignorant of its details and it is a crucial factor in international relations. There is nothing new in stating the point. Climate change, largely no longer global warming as people have become more aware of "junk science" so the name changes, also states nothing compelling. It is a rehash of standard Euro thinking on the matter. China is a rising power but not really a threat to anyone. This is hardly the case. China is polluting more than almost anyone on the planet, it has little in the way of rectifying the problems, and their pollution reaches the U.S. Global terrorism is a problem which arises out of the legitimate concerns for resource equity. I do not buy it.

The work promises a great deal but fails to deliver the goods.

This is an excellent book. It reviews the state of the world's politics and economies from a geographic perspective. De Blij is a good writer, and engrossing. Each chapter spotlights different concerns that we Americans should be aware of. This ranges from climate change and environmental concerns, to a review of situations unique to China, Europe, Russia, and Africa. Nicely drawn maps accompany each chapter, and portray visually what one is reading in the text. The book is a plea for a more geographic outlook, more spatial. We need to grasp the world as a whole, but then see how societies and history have functioned differently in specific countries to produce what they are today. ( )

Rating of 2.90 ( )

He lectured at TVS