North American Odyssey

Reviews / Votes

Editors Colten and Buckley envisioned their book to update and complement earlier historical geographies of the continent. The topical and methodological framework employed by the editors provides a vibrant survey of the breadth and depth of the discourse, themes, and controversies currently energizing the discipline of historical geography. The authoritative roster of scholars, their thought-provoking essay foci, and the structuring of the collection coalesce into a unifying rhythm and energy that is not often found in edited volumes. The 22 essays are divided into five sections focusing on indigenous societies and European settlement; 19th-century industrialization and westward expansion; nature-society interactions; perception and identity; and urban issues. The fourth section, 'Shaping the Landscape,' is the lengthiest and theoretically strongest, featuring seven essays tackling such subjects as race, gender, tourism, and mythogenesis. Individual essays throughout the collection present a well-balanced epistemological treatment broaching traditional and critical approaches. The essays are nicely adorned with over 100 well-chosen and attractive maps and archival photographs. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. * Choice Reviews * This work is a monumental achievement of both historical geography and environmental history. Craig E. Colten and Geoffrey L. Buckley set out to answer geographer Carl Sauer's plea, made over seven decades ago, to return historical narratives, methodologies, and perspectives to the discipline of geography. This comprehensive edited collection does so admirably. Synthesizing the most recent innovative theoretical work of scholars specializing in cultural and historical geography, North American Odyssey: Historical Geographiesfor the Twenty-First Century will serve specialists and nonspecialists alike. * Journal of Southern History * [North American Odyssey] offer useful summaries of important components of the historical geography of the United States. It also reveals a group of vigorous American historical geographers turning with considerable energy in various, loosely-related directions that could, in powerful hands, provide grist for a fresh and powerful synthesis of the historical geography of the United States. * Journal of Historical Geography * Both the old and the new are included among these twenty-two essays. . . .One has to agree with the editors that North American Odyssey proves that historical geography is 'alive and well.' * Historical Geography * This innovative collection of essays by leading scholars shows how North America came to look the way it does. Its thematic organization makes connections past and present in ways that students will appreciate. -- Richard Harris, McMaster University In North American Odyssey, Craig Colten and Geoff Buckley have included some of the best scholars in the field. The book is, by turn, informative, inspiring, and provocative. A good read. -- Stanley W. Trimble, emeritus, UCLA An excellent volume, insightful, and up-to-date. -- Richard Nostrand, University of Oklahoma