Geography as an academic discipline dates back to the last few decades of the nineteenth century. However, during the preceding centuries a large body of English-language literature relevant to the field of special geography was published. Four Centuries of Special Geography lists all the works published before 1888 and includes descriptions of each entry and notes on later editions.

Europe and the British Geographical Imagination, 1760-1830 explores what literate Britons of the period understood about 'Europe', focussing on key themes which shaped ideas about the continent, including religion, the natural environment, race, the state, borders, commerce, empire, and ideas about the past, progress, and historical change.

No book has yet been published that has attempted to cover the history of geography as a school subject. Yet the story of the growth of this subject - a major player in the league table of student preferences and examination entries - is woven deep into the social history of the nation, as well as being studded with colourful personalities.