A Primer of GIS: Fundamental Geographic and Cartographic Concepts

by Francis Harvey

This pragmatic book introduces key concepts and skills to prepare students to understand and use geographic information systems (GIS). The text thoroughly explains what geographic information is, how it is represented and analyzed, and what it communicates about human and environmental activities and events that take place on our planet. Basic principles of map making and map reading are integrated with discussions of relevant information technologies and applications. Written in an accessible style, the text is organized into four parts that can be used in any sequence in entry-level and more specialized GIS courses. User-friendly features include practical examples and exercises, engaging vignettes, and helpful Internet resources.

Genres: Geography

310 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2015

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was the text for GEO 221: Introduction to Geographic Information. While the required readings did not encompass the entire book, what was required was enough. The chapters were not very long, but the format and material was not very user friendly. It was difficult to take notes and highlight key points in the text. The figures and pictures were rarely referenced which made me wonder if they were even important. The material was easy to understand and grasp, but it was just very dry.

[Leah Markum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am sure there are better cartography/GIS books out there, but considering how few these books are, I respect this one. The chapters are readable for someone who has a general geography interest and enlightens on the challenges involved with translating the world (or parts of it) onto a map. I am sure it could be more in-depth or even more entertaining but it makes a good compromise between the general reader and the serious GIS student.

[Muhammad al-Khwarizmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad if you mind the typos and a certain deal of the sort of SJW horseshit that's infected much of social science. There is a passage about how, for some, the lines and angles of the current American landscape stand for "imperialism" without regard to the fact that Mesoamerican cities had much the same geometry. That sort of thing doesn't belong in this kind of book at all. But it was overall useful for a refresher on the topic.

[Engi Amin]

Just for the record that once upon a time I actually had to study this!!! :/