Geography and History: Bridging the Divide

History and Geography is the first book for more than a century to examine comprehensively the interdependence of history and geography. Alan Baker, an internationally honoured historical geographer, focuses upon the work of North American, British and French historians and geographers but takes a global and interdisciplinary perspective upon the theory and practice of historical geography and geographic history. He analyses the views of historians on the relationship of their discipline to geography, and geographers on the relationship of theirs to history. He considers in turn locational geographies and spatial histories, environmental geographies and histories, landscape geographies and histories, and regional geographies and histories. Seeking to bridge the 'Great Divide' between history and geography, Dr Baker identifies some basic principles relating historical geography not only to history but also to geography, a reworking which signifies a 'new beginning' for this scholarly hybrid.

"Baker has produced an admirably concise and clearly written survey of the major conceptual and methodological developments in British (largely English) and American historical geography--together with those in France--since the inception of this enterprise in the early twentieth century." - Lindsay Proudfoot, Reader in Historical Geography

Alan Baker considers locational geographies and spatial histories, environmental geographies and environmental histories, landscape geographies and landscape histories, and regional geographies and regional histories. Seeking to bridge the Great Divide between history and geography, Baker identifies basic principles relating historical geography not only to history but also to geography, a reworking which signifies a new beginning for this scholarly hybrid.

History and Geography is the first book for over a century to examine the full range of the relations of history and geography. The distinguished scholar Alan Baker considers in turn locational geographies and spatial histories, environmental geographies and environmental histories, landscape geographies and landscape histories, and regional geographies and regional histories. He explores the territories of historical geography and and geographical history, focusing mainly on the work of North American, British and French historians and geographers, but also considers scholarly contributions from throughout the world, and from cognate disciplines.

The first book for over a century to examine the full range of the relations of history and geography

Unique examination of the relations between geography and history.

Alan Baker is an internationally renowned historical geographer who in 1998 was honoured by France as a Chevalier dans l'Order des Palmes Academiques for his contribution to the field.

Preface; 1. On the relations of history and geography; 2. Locational geographies and histories; 3. Environmental geographies and histories; 4. Landscape geographies and histories; 5. Regional geographies and histories; 6. Reflections; Bibliography; Index.