Esri sent Geography Realm review copies of three of recent publications from Esri Press: Mapping the Deep, The Power of Where, and The Geography of Hope.
Mapping the Deep
Dawn J. Wright. Mapping the Deep (Esri Press, 2024), pp VIII, 173. ISBN 9781589487888. Buy: Amazon
As Chief Scientist, Dr. Dawn Wright is probably one of the most well-known Esri representatives. She has an infectious enthusiasm for all things Lego and she joyfully shares her Lego builds on social media. But what Dawn Wright is best known for is her stellar career in oceanography. Her social media handle on various platforms is deepseadawn, a nod to her ocean floor expeditions that span back to when she was a graduate student.
Mapping the Deep opens with an account of one of Dr. Wright’s most notable dives from July of 2022 that involved visiting Challenger Deep, the deepest ocean point on Earth. Onboard Limiting Factor, the submersible vehicle used to reach a depth of ~10,919 meters (35,823 feet) on this dive, Dawn Wright was instrumental in testing out a prototype sidescan sonar that will be used to map out deep areas of the ocean floor on future expeditions. Dawn, along with the founder of the ocean research company Caladan Oceanic Victor Vescovo, used this innovative technology to be the first people to map in detail the Western Pool of the Challenger Deep.
A section of Mapping the Deep is dedicated to a deep dive (pun intended) into the influences and accomplishments behind Dr. Wright’s impressive career as an oceanographer and a global ambassador for geospatial technology with Esri. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Wright intertwined her passion for exploring the ocean with pushing the boundaries of GIS. Dr. Wright calls herself a “squeaky wheel” when it came to her early interactions with Esri and advocating for better spatial tools for ocean science. So it was a natural next step in her career when she was tapped to become Esri’s Chief Scientist.
Since then, Dr. Wright has been a vocal and globally visible proponent of ocean mapping initiatives as part of her advocacy efforts with Esri. Dr. Wright’s energies are not just about ocean science. She is an ambassador for geospatial innovation in the broader science community – acting as a liaison, for example, for conservation biology and green geodesign.
Mapping the Deep focuses as well on the importance of mapping the ocean floor and innovations in deep-sea exploration. These chapters introduce other pioneering individuals that have helped in advancing our geographic and geologic knowledge of the ocean.
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The Power of Where
Jack Dangermond. Power of Where (Esri Press, 2024), pp XXV, 274. ISBN 9781589486065. Buy: Amazon
This hefty volume is designed to be a fairly all-encompassing look inside the development and application of GIS, as guided by Jack Dangermond, the founder of Esri. A compilation of essays, case studies, and maps, the Power of Where is a handy reference book for both seasoned GIS professionals and novices to geospatial technology.
With well over a 100 contributors, including lead author Jack Dangermond, involved in the creation of the Power of Where, this book takes the reader through a brief overview of the beginnings of cartography and the origins of GIS into the more modern iterations of GIS in the form of web mapping, dashboards, geoportals, and virtual twins.
The Power of Where is segmented into different focus chapters. There are chapters on geographic data, spatial analysis, and the language of visualizing GIS data, to name a few. Timelines and case studies can be found peppered through the book. The book covers a broad range of topics and industries including agriculture, urban planning, geology, social justice, population geography, and biodiversity (just to name a few).
Of course, no GIS book would be complete without stunning maps illustrating all of these concepts. This book has amazing cartography featured on almost every page.
The practical examples and maps featured through the book help make the technical aspects of GIS accessible to a general audience. The Power of Where is a comprehensive journey through all aspects of GIS: all the technologies used to collect data, spatial analysis, using AI for mapping, visualizing GIS data both as a map and through the use of charts and graphs, and collaboration efforts.
From public health to business logistics, environmental conservation to urban planning, this book highlights how GIS and location data are being used to help decision-makers identify patterns, optimize resources, and develop sustainable solutions.
Geography of Hope
David Arnold. The Geography of Hope (Esri Press, 2024), pp XXV, 274. ISBN 9781589487413. Buy: Amazon
Available starting October 1, 2024, The Geography of Hope features nine different stories where mapping and GIS were used to better the world. Geography of Hope by Esri Press highlights how GIS is being used to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.
Photojournalist, and former National Audubon Society CEO, David Yarnold weaves personal stories of perseverance in with explanations of how community leaders are using GIS to address challenges. The book is pretty light on maps – instead Yarnold leans heavily on the human face of GIS. His photojournalist background shines through via the book’s photos, many up close and personal of people who have spent countless hours applying GIS for the betterment of their communities.
Geography of Hope is a compelling exploration of how geography and GIS are shaping the future. Through a series of powerful stories, Yarnold illustrated how spatial thinking can address local and global challenges. This book provides an insight, through the nine stories, into how geography can provide hope for a better future.
