NIELSEN, A. M. Economic and Industrial Geography. Pp. xxiii, 728. New York: Pitman Publishing Corporation, 1950. $6.75

• Author: C. Langdon White
• Published date: 01 March 1951
• Date: 01 March 1951
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/000271625127400161
• Subject Matter: Articles

232
tion and find the same lack of correlation
in many instances too little to the real sub-
between the text and the map or chart.
ject of economic geography.
The worst case is a world map of zone
To the reviewer, the outstanding and
aridity taken from a map published by de
most noteworthy features are: (1) The
Martonne in 1942 (this time the map is
simple, easy-reading and interesting style.
mentioned in the text). The key to the
(2) The point of view of the author that
map is wrong, calling the semi-arid zone
his book is not a gazetteer or an exhaustive
deserts and vice versa, but that mistake this
study of each topic, but is rather a pres-
reviewer excuses. Unexcusable however, is
entation of basic, scientific principles of
the lack of care in copying de Martonne’s
economic geography. (3) The topical ap-
map. New Guinea and New Zealand are
proach-this seems greatly superior to the
now presented as semi-arid regions, but it
regional approach. (4) The superb photo-
would be difficult to convince an American
graphs-few texts can equal Professor Niel-
G.I. who fought in New Guinea that he was
sen’s in this respect. (5) The really in-
living in a semi-arid environment.
formative captions-a good example is the
I have probably put too much stress on
caption under the photo on page 551 deal-
the weaknesses of the book because my
ing with fumes from copper smelters. (6)
general impression is one of admiration and
Chapter 17 &dquo;Fibers and Fiber Industries.&dquo;
praise. Professor Sorre had not yet com-
(7) Chapter 23-&dquo;Fundamentals of Man-
pleted his study-the volume on &dquo;Habitat&dquo;
ufacturing and Site Location.&dquo;
(8) The
is still to come. But already his funda-
discussion problems at the end of each
mental book is a source of information un-
chapter; these are carefully thought out.
equalled in the field of modern geography.
To the reviewer, the outstanding weak-
S. VAN VALKENBURG
nesses appear to be: (1) The paucity of
Clark University
maps, particularly distribution maps of
crops, minerals, fisheries, industries, and so
NIELSEN, A. M. Economic and Industrial
forth. Many professors meet this weak-
Geography. Pp. xxiii, 728. New York:
ness, of course, by using in class the large
Pitman Publishing Corporation, 1950.
wall maps of the Finch World Products
$6.75.
Series. But these maps are effective only
Professor Nielsen’s book is a welcome
when the class is small.
(2) Too much
addition to the rapidly growing list of text-
emphasis is placed upon industrial processes
books dealing with the field of economic
-for example, sugar milling. (3) the lim-
geography....