The debate about the purpose and practice of historical geography has
often focused upon the progress to be made in the discipline through an
adaptation to new problems, new methodologies, new techniques and new
sources. Originally published in 1984, this volume of interpretative
essays extends that debate by exploring in tentative fashion some basic
methodological and substantive issues from essentially interdisciplinary
standpoints. In any exploration, risks have to be accepted as an
integral part of this enterprise. All of the contributors to this book
take pleasure in one another's polemical company, and each essay
explores a wide field while being soundly based in personal research.
The hope is that some of this pleasure will be shared by those who
critically read these essays.