Reading for a great Personal Statement
A geography degree will involve lots of reading, so it is a good idea for a student to show in their personal statement that they enjoy reading literature of geographical nature. Most recent current affairs and popular science books that can be bought relatively cheaply make for great talking points in personal statements. The trick is to read a few books and articles with differing opinions, slip them in cleverly and discuss the contrasting ideas.
Here are some fantastic books that are useful geographical reads and make for a great discussion in a personal statement, and if well understood should also be useful in any interview questions regarding a personal statement. NOTE: Just reading books such as the ones suggested below and ones that you find interesting will not guarentee you a top class personal statement. You must show that you have thought about what you have read, are intrigued by it, and want to learn more about the subject. Therefore if a particular topic in these books facinates you follow it up with a quick search online and look for articles discussing it in newspapers and magazines. By doing this you will see the different arguments that surround the issue so you will be able to formulate your own view. This extented knowledge may prove to be invaluable in an interview or future piece of written work. 1. The Weather Makers. Tim Flannery A excellent book giving a good, yet often simplistic, overview of the science, history and politics of climate change. The book makes some interesting predictions for the future, and raises some questions that would be great for discussing in a PS. The book is quite simple and it doesn't go into a lot of detail about the science of recent global warming, but it is a useful starting point and great preparation. 2. Gaia. James Lovelock One of the most important books written on environmental science. Lovelock presents his thinkings on how the earth and life work together. When released, which was a long time ago, the book was a real ground breaker. This books is quite heavy, but is almost certainly going to crop up in university work, so it is useful to get familiar with it early on. There are many fantastic ideas in the book, about holistic study and the way we think about life and the earth that could be used to show real interest PS. Lovelock has also authored two more recent follow-up books to this which are a little less conceptual and deal with more practical issues. In some ways they are both quite controversial, and therefore they make great talking points in personal statements and interviews. These books are also both highly recommended. 3. El Nino. J. Madeleine Nash Quite a long, descriptive book that deals mainly with the causes, consequences and recording of El Nino events. The book explains the phenomenon well and brings the reader quickly up to speed with the current understandings. The book is also a really useful read because it gives one an impression of how modern day geographical science is conducted. Accounts of expetitions up glaciers, laboratory work with rocks and other data stores, and explanations of the use of computer modelling in climate science give the reader a clear idea of the different ways scientists study the earth. This is really useful knowledge to have before starting a geography course, and may also serve you well in interviews. Whilst focused on El Nino, the book covers many other interesting areas of physical geography, so it is a really good book to read just to gain a general understanding. The book is lengthy, but is an interesting and rewarding read. It would be a great book to dro into a personal statement to show interest and understanding to tutors reading a personal statement. 4. China and the West in the 21st Century: The writing on the wall. Will Hutton. This book is going to be more enjoyable for those more interested in human geography. Hutton writes very knowlegdably on the state of China and it's relationships with the US and EU and going forward what needs to happen globally if a sustainable world order is to be achieve. Hutton offers many interesting opinions regarding what those changes and developments need to be which would make for an excellent discussion in a PS. Many of the issues that Hutton ties into the narrative of the book such as globalisation, open society, enlightenment values and market fundamentalism are key issues being debated and explored in academic geography circles so developing knowledge, interest and understanding of them at an early stage is a very prudent idea. 5. The Sceptical Environmentalist. Bjorn Lomborg If you have found an interesting environmental issue that concerns you, this book is likely to contain the opposing argument. Lomborg looks behind the statistics of many environmental issues and presents a far rosier picture than most other environmentalists would ever dream of doing. You may not agree with all his views and ideas, but the book is a fascinating read. It is easy to pick up and delve into, with all the different issues and ideas clearly labelled in the contents. The ideas Lomborg presents in this book are fantastic for giving contrast to an issue that you may want to discuss in a personal statement. Also a book that is likely to be useful at university. 6. Chavs. Owen Jones Definitely one for those who want to write a more human personal statement. In Chavs Owen Jones outlines his view that working class people have been discriminated against and stigmatised in society. The book is quite long, but very interesting and instructive as it shows you how an argument can be formed and developed from the simplist of beginnings. Geography is a subject that activity seeks out and explores inequalities, and arguably the gap between the rich and poor in all societies is one of the most fundamental issues that faces our society. Therefore this book, accompanied with reading from good quality newspapers and internet sources, is a very useful text. Also recommended (reviews to follow): A Journey. Tony Blair Our Choice: Al Gore An Inconvenient Truth: Al Gore The Audacity of Hope. Barack Obama No Logo. Naomi Klein |
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