Geography at the U.S. Geological Survey

Rating:
Summary: Geography becomes data mining for the Feds
Review: While I applaud the efforts of these geographers to bring geography back to life at the USGS, their recommendations essentially confirm what niche, I believe, American geographers now occupy: map technicians and data miners. A revitalized vision of geography as a profession within the Federal government is what the book shoots for. Unfortunately, geographic training typically emphasizes GIS courses. The field of American Geography divorced itself from being a player in "big science" long ago and this book is a meager attempt at catch-up for the next century. GISM for geographers who'll sit in front of screens while the land surface of the US gets chewed to hell by the powers that be. 3 stars for trying.