Review: The rise of environmental politics and concern has meant that it is important to have a background in spatial politics. Sadly, this is not always easy to come by partly because of the lack of good writers for this audience and partly through the development of the subject. For too long, political geography was seen as an extension of politics which meant that it was not often taught. The resurgence in interest from the late 1980s onwards has helped move it down the curriculum from higher degrees to first degrees and into schools where some form of "civics" education is fast becoming the global norm at least in the developed world. If this is to be successful it follows that it needs to have some firm emphasis in theory. The aim of this text is to provide such a background.

The book is divided into three sections. The first charts the rise of political geography and the development of groups who seek to use and influence the system. Chapter one is an overview of the topic and its development. This moves on in chapters two and three to an examination of the concept of nation and state and the ways in which different groups make the system work. The focus to this point has been to find a pattern of political behaviour. The remaining chapters look at the reverse - the spatial expression of difference and how it is controlled. There are cases on nationalism, Rwanda etc. to illustrate the ways in which difference is shown and how it is dealt with. Chapter six looks at pressure groups and the effect that they can have on a governmental system. Finally in this section there's a chapter on electoral geography. The second part goes back, at the beginning, to the rise of political geography with work in the late 19th Century. If this seems out of place it's worth remembering the extent to which these 'old' ideas have currency and how the modern subject is reliant on the old (some 19th century ideas seem very modern in the context of current global issues). Chapter 9 looks at the development of policy in general and foreign policy - the reaction between two states - in particular. Chapter 10 has particular reference to us in that it examines in some detail the arguments over the divisions of the oceans (illustrated by reference to the Rockall and the EU). The final section looks at how the political scene is developing today and what it means to us. Chapter 11 looks at global politics not just in terms of globalisation but also in terms of cartels such as OPEC. Chapter 12 outlines the ways in which national governments are being superceded (or at least reduced in power) by supra-national entities such as the EU. A final chapter, all too brief, outlines how the subject may develop and what points it needs to address.

This is a very useful text. It covers all the basic ground and does so in a very lucid manner. Key points are there with references for those wishing to learn more. It takes examples from a range of issues and around the world so that most readers will have a number of points of interest with the material. The author has avoided the obvious potential for controversy but still managed to communicate the 'hot topics' in the subject. Overall, an excellent introduction and one that deserves a wide readership.