Reading with geography in mind
Away from the obvious popular science and current affairs books there are many geography related books and films which can enhance knowledge of a subject or issue in a more relaxed way. Fiction books or films give an excellent sense of place and sometimes focus on a key geographical issue. By reading a storybook however, one can get a deeper understanding of an issue without having to research it intensely.
This list are students' recommendations of great books to read and enjoy: 1. The People's Train A story set in the 20's showing how the communism movement was organised and developed across different spaces. Excellent characters and good descriptions of the challenges the young communists faced in Australia and Russia. Very useful knowledge given the Maxist geographies that are bound to crop up as part of a geography degree. A great introduction to a wholly different style of resource allocation that held so much sway in past years. 2. The Remains of the Day. Kazuo Ishiguro Written in the first person from the viewpoint of a 30's English country house bulter, this book explores the social relations of the 30's and gives a picture of the geopolitical situation that was simmering under the world at the time. A very enjoy and interesting book. This read could fit into cultural geographies, looking at how different groups are represented and contrained in certain social settings and societies. 3. Rivers of Smoke. Amitav Ghosh This longer fiction book gives a historical account of the opium trade occuring in Asia in the 19th Century. It explores the trade from British Imperial perspectives as well as from angles closer to the populations of China and India. Colonialism is a study that regularly crops up in geography and this book, in an enjoyable and relaxed manner, gives a great introduction into the world of the British Empire. A wonderful sense of place can be grasped from this work. 4. Fatboy and the Dancing Ladies. Michael Holman A lively story set in western africa charting the lives of slum dwellers, NGO workers, philathropists and local children. The book gives a real sense of the sights, smells and sounds of a large slum. Whilst not being a heavy narrative, the book gives you a great sense of place and insight into the lives of people in a very different environment. Well worth a read as it is only 200-odd pages long too. |