"This book provides the first in depth engagement of GIS with critical social theory. It is a 'must-read,'
'must-teach' book."
--Annals of the Association of American Geographers
"I recommend it highly for GIS users and instructors....Planners' use of GIS would be richer and wiser if
those who used and taught the technology paid attention to the important lessons contained in this book."
--APA Journal
"There is a great deal of substance for important and engaging debate...GIS is an extremely important medium
that has had relatively little attention paid to its message. This book advances the search for the essence of
that message..."
--Prof. Tom Meredith, Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives
"... the contributions of many of the chapters in Ground Truth offer intellectually insightful work that will
help connect the work of social theorists with the GIS research community."
--Professional Geographer
Guilford Publications Web Site, January, 2001
Summary
Ground Truth is the first book to explicitly address the role of geographic information systems (GIS) in their
social context. Contributing authors consider the ideas and practices that have emerged among GIS users, demonstrating
how they reflect the material and political interests of certain groups. Chapters also discuss the impact of new
GIS technologies on the discipline of geography, and evaluate the role of GIS within the wider transformations
of free-market capitalism. Presenting thought-provoking essays by leading scholars, the book lays the groundwork
for a critical rethinking of GIS that will open up an important debate.
