Revising topics of the town

Urban Social Geography: An Introduction has, over the years, established itself as the pre-eminent textbook in the field. Now, with the assistance of a second author, Steven Pinch, Paul Knox has produced a timely revision that should remain the text of choice for many undergraduate courses in Britain and in the United States.

This edition combines the strengths of the earlier versions with coverage of topical and innovative developments. It has a new chapter on gender, sexuality and disability. Though rather thin in its geographic coverage, in 480 pages Knox and Pinch have produced an authoritative introduction to the field that is accessible, illuminating and up to date.

Tim Hall's Urban Geography tackles much of the same ground as Knox and Pinch. However, he touches on issues ignored by them such as CCTV and surveillance, and sustainability, but the coverage of these comes at a cost: there is no room for disabilities or sexuality and little for ethnicity or race.

It is well written, with useful guides for further reading and illuminating boxed examples and case studies. It would serve well as a supplementary text.

Joe Doherty is senior lecturer in geography, University of St Andrews.