The Lancet’s recent commission on the effects of climate change on health[i] is a reliable diagnosis of pertinent contemporary issues on a global scale. One of the conclusions of this report is that “The most urgent need is to empower poor countries, and local government and local communities everywhere” (Costello et al. 2009:1728). It is a conclusion to which Human geographer Harm de Blij also leads his readers in his recent book, The Power of Place [ii] .
For provocative thought, scope, and endeavour, the book is unquestionably comparable to the works of Jared Diamond, Tim Flannery and James Lovelock. De Blij successfully, cleverly and effectively covers matters of politics, economics, climate, religion, education, human languages, natural disasters, health, gender issues, urbanization and globalization. He integrates these issues into a digestible and relevant description of contemporary cultural landscapes.
De Blij demonstrates an acute awareness of the historical context of his subject matter whilst developing his arguments. His approach to contentious issues and sensitive polemics at times may seem brash; however the treatment is conscientiously balanced, with biases explicit. It is hard to tackle these subjects dispassionately. To de Blij’s merit, he rarely extends further than an evenhanded evaluation of the data that leaves the reader reflecting if the judgment calls are not indeed fair. His ability to impartially juggle with the contingencies of cultural geography without resorting to simplified cause-and-effect rationalisations, may in fact be de Blij’s genius.
I give the book 4.5 neurons.
The following post is my first draft of a book review that has been published by Anthropology and Medicine. It includes points and viewpoints that are not necessarily academic in style, but that I would nonetheless like to share with you on this blog. I strongly reccomend readers to read both the published book review and the book, “The Power of Place”.
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