Alastair Bonnett is professor of geography at Newcastle University and a travel writer. His books have been translated into nineteen languages and include Unruly Places; Beyond the Map; The Geography of Nostalgia; and An Uncommon Atlas. His most recent books are The Age of Islands, Multiracism, and How to be Original. Alastair lives in Newcastle, UK.

• Preface Chapter 1. Introduction Why What is Geography?Chapter 2: Order and Power: To Know the World IIntroductionOrdering the World Modern Geography: The World of Trade and NationsWhose Geography? ConclusionChapter 3: People and Nature: To Know the World IIIntroductionOur EnvironmentChanges, Challenges, and DefensesThe Systems of NatureConclusionChapter 4: Urbanization and MobilityIntroductionPresenting the City Urban CriticsMobilities ConclusionChapter 5: Doing Geography Introduction To ExploreTo ConnectTo Map To EngageGeography, Children and Freedom: A PleaChapter 6: Institutionalizing GeographyIntroduction Specialist Institutions Geography’s Popular Institutions Conclusion Chapter 7: Future GeographiesIntroductionSurviving and ThrivingDiverse GeographiesDigital and Virtual GeographiesAstrogeography: Other Worlds, New Comparisons, and New ConflictsConclusions: A Planet of GeographersPostscript: What is Geography? Notes Bibliography About the Author Index

“Alastair Bonnett successfully cuts through the forest of subjects, topics, themes, and approaches to get right to the essential spirit of the field of geography. What is Geography? demonstrates how geography counters the hyper-specialization of knowledge to provide a space for global inter-connected knowledge to flourish. Bonnett makes a convincing case for why fostering a 'planet of geographers' is critical to humanity’s future.”