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Based on a broad assessment of the scholarship on North-Western Africa, this article examines Saharan historiography with a particular view towards understanding how and why historians have long represented the continent as being composed of two ‘Africas’. Starting with the earliest Arabic writings, and, much later, French colonial renderings, it traces the epistemological creation of a racial and geographic divide. Then, the article considers the field of African studies in North African universities and ends with a review of recent multidisciplinary research that embraces a trans-Saharan approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines the pedagogical and practical challenges associated with teaching historical geography, and archival research specifically, in the context of the undergraduate field trip. In so doing, it draws upon students' own reflections on the experience of conducting archival research during a field trip to New York City and presents the results of an international survey of academics' views as to the current problems and future possibilities associated with the teaching of historical geography and the implications of these perspectives for future curriculum design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arnold Horner served as Reviews Editor ofIrish Geographyfrom 1979 to 2006. In this short article, John Andrews pays tribute to his work in the field of cartographic history. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this essay I enlist Canadian folk singer Stan Rogers to provide a title and a structure for inevitably personal reflections on the scholarly contributions of Canadian historical geographers and the changing fortunes of historical geography in their country since the 1960s. From the "Northwest Passage" ("one warm line...") to "Make and Break Harbour" (where "the boats are so few") this is a tale of considerable achievement, but one that, may lack a particularly happy or optimistic ending unless we attend to "The Field Behind the Plow" (and "Put another season's promise in the ground"). Because this story, however told, bears the marks of influence from the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere, this essay speaks to developments beyond the territory of Canada and the geographical interests of those who live within its borders. Like several of Rogers' songs, it might also be considered something of a parable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws upon experiences of working in a personal archive in a domestic space in order to contribute to recent debates about archival formation, conduct and practice. By exploring the collaborative practices of working-with an archive owner in ordering and cataloguing a collection, we provide methodological insights into how historical geography research is carried out. Although such working-with in archives is, we argue, a common practice amongst researchers, these interactions with others are often absent from published work. This paper provides an explicit discussion of these often hidden collaborations and socialities, highlighting their importance for the conduct of archival research in three specific areas. First, we show how working-with actively (re)shapes and (re)makes archival materials and the stories that emerge from them. Second, we argue that working-with the owners of archives, but doing so without clearly defined research aims and going against the grain of productivist methods of working, can be rewarding both within and beyond academia. Third, in focussing on working-with, the paper extends conceptions of the archive and archival practice. We argue that the domestic setting of archival work produces particular patterns of archival conduct and disrupts the boundaries of collections themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like historians, historical geographers rely on primary source materials held in archival collections as their main data sources, yet approach these materials from a different perspective. The author's experiences teaching students the practice of historical geography form the basis of this discussion of the role of archival materials in historical geography. Suggestions for improving archival access for historical geography students and professionals are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an exploration into the career and scholarship of the 20th-century Chinese historian Gu Jiegang. Focus is given to his foundational contributions to the field of Chinese historical geography. Analysis is offered on the way Gu fostered the growth and spread of the discipline within Chinese intellectual society by the construction of the scholastic community Yugong Society which promoted the subject. Additional discussion is offered examining why such a new discipline was favorably received at its inception.

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The article presents a lecture delivered by historian Laura Cameron at a conference of the Association of American Geographers in Washington, D.C. Emphasis is given to the historical geography of wetlands and topics such as archival research on the human presence in landscapes, academic culture and hierarchy, and the relationship between history and geography.

Considers some of the general problems encountered in researching and writing historical geography. Overview of L. Rodwell Jones' proclamation regarding historical geography; Historical geographers' object of study; Limitation on the writing of historical geography; Pleasures and purposes of historical geography.

This paper provides a perspective on participatory historical geography from Canada where historical geographers have engaged in the struggle for Aboriginal rights and recently have provided some insightful critiques of participatory research. It begins to contextualise various approaches to 'historical geography at large' over the years, underlining the complexities of research relations. The piece concludes by highlighting, in particular, some of the participatory activism of graduate students doing research in historical geography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses development studies, particularly the development geography field. The author states that development studies is an educational vehicle which combines liberal arts with political science and economics knowledge. The author adds that studying development is rewarding, considering that development's historical geographies require salutatory recognition of how people arrived there.