Features the life and works of Joseph Earle Spencer, editor of the journal "Annals of the Association of American Geographers" from 1964-1970 in the U.S. Educational background; Career highlights; Impetus to the interest of Spencer in geography.
Golledge, Reginald G., Church, Richard, Dozier, Jeffrey, Estes, John E., Michaelsen, Joel, Simonett, David S., Smith, Raymond, Smith, Terence, Strahler, Alan H., and Tobler, Waldo R.
Comments on John Fraser Hart's presidential address "The Highest Form of the Geographer's Art," that was previously published in the 1982 issue of "Annals of the Association of American Geographers." Impracticality of Hart's advice to return nature discipline to the old; Accession on Hart's statement regarding the need for a more relaxed and less dogmatic approach to the disciplines; Views on how to maintain the status of geography as a viable tertiary academic field.
The role of physical geography (and its practitioners) in the affairs of the Association of American Geographers and in the development of American geography has been varied in both substance and influence during the past seventy-five years. Physical geography was at its strongest in the Association's first decade and has recently experienced a resurgence. American physical geographers have tended to be adherents of the so-called ‘man-land’ tradition in geographical teaching and research, which position is supported herein: firstly, by a review and perspective of physical geography during this century; secondly, through an exposition of some geographical opportunities for the future; thirdly, by discussion of the breadth vs. depth question in geographic education; and, fourthly, by concluding comments on this century's closing circle of events past, present, and future in American geography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]