A Regional Geography of the United States and Canada: Toward a Sustainable Future
This engagingly written and comprehensive book has wide appeal beyond the discipline of geography. Mayda does an outstanding job linking geology, geography, economy, and culture to give a sense of the importance of space and how it is configured for the United States and Canada. By relating the basic environmental differences to historic developments, she shows that physical structures and human collective agency are critical to understanding the past and influencing the future of place. It is a work I will recommend to friends and assign to students with the knowledge that good discussions and positive action will follow.(Cornelia Butler Flora, Iowa State University)Chris Mayda uses sustainability to provide an innovative approach to the United States and Canada. By exploring sustainability within the framework of regions, she operates at a scale students will comprehend and infuses each section with current environmental concerns and directions toward solutions.(Craig E. Colten, Louisiana State University)It's always refreshing to read a book with a new approach to old issues—one that can provide a contemporary student with a different lens to look at environments, landscapes, and peoples. Taking an ecological approach, Chris Mayda highlights the impacts people are having upon processes, landscapes, and regions and the sustainability of these actions over the long haul. Simply but cleverly written, this ambitious text will be valuable for geography majors as well as students across the social sciences.(John Everitt, Brandon University)Chris Mayda writes geography with a conscience. What this book demonstrates is not only that natural environments and human cultures vary in space—the conventional fare of geographers—but that our concerns for sustainability, environmental protection, healthy lives, and social justice are also intricately connected with the places we create on the landscape. Regional economies, societies, political systems and ways of thinking come under close scrutiny here for their threats to the pursuit of happiness in America today as well as their promise for better lives and broader liberties. (Warren Hofstra, Shenandoah University)Honestly, the first college coursebook that I have actually read cover to cover. I used to think I knew a fair amount about the different areas of the country, but each section of the text helped me take a step back.(Beth Kostecki, geography student)A Regional Geography of the United States and Canadahas great depth, is substantive, focuses on appropriate geographical topics/issues, and the flavor of sustainability is appealing.(George Pomeroy, Shippensburg University)