The ArcGIS Book: 10 Big Ideas about Applying The Science of Where (The ArcGIS Books)

The Arc GIS Book second Edition: 10 Big Ideas about Applying the Science of Where- is an outstanding vehicle for the introduction to spatial thinking and GIS. A major strength of this book is that it does not require prior experience with GIS.I have adopted and am actively using this book in my SSCU 300: Integrated Social Sciences Introduction: Policy and Action course. The students who are in the class have never used GIS before and are finding GIS to be very useful, empowering and meaningful. The book is a perfect blend of concepts supported by easy access to a variety of Esri tools that students. This book has also been useful to professionals in the real-world who want to learn about what is GIS? How is it useful? How can my decision-making be improved using spatial data?Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Arc GIS Book Second Edition- is that it is so much more than a book- it is GIS come to life!- and it is an easy to use platform for engagement with spatial thinking and analysis across various geographies.I strongly recommend this book for students, professionals, non-profit leaders and community members interested in learning GIS in a “bite-size” applied manner. GIS makes the world a better place- and this book underscores that mantra using a simple, visually engaging approach. It’s like a road-map through the various Esri tools, apps and programs to understand first what GIS resources are available and when best to use them? Knowledge is power and this book clearly demonstrates the Power of Where- and Place using a multitude of examples. My students learn best by doing- and this book is successfully moving students from a place of zero experience with GIS to seeing the possibilities for social change w/ with them in the driver’s seat!

Esri Press seems to be back to the "bad old days" when all they published was marketing drivel like this. They just keep reprinting the few good books they have, but nothing new of substance, What happened? Budget cuts?

The ArcGIS Book is a breath of fresh air! It is divided into 10 chapters that'll PAINLESSLY show you the basics—to learn by doing. In so doing, in the words of ArcGIS's new catch phrase, you'll learn to navigate "the science of where". And when I say the basics,I mean that the book assumes the reader has very little experience with GIS and it walks that reader through the fundamental concepts and raison d'etra of GIS generally and ArcGIS specifically. Lavishly illustrated. Highly recommended. Plus it is just plain fun.

The concept of the book is amazing and it’s executed perfectly as a balance of academic elements as well as the fun side of technology. The chapters are very well organized, along with the practical exercises to incorporate hands on work. I especially liked the segments of “thought leaders” which added a very personal touch. I think the book represents a new paradigm for technical training, and I hope there will be more topics planned for future editions.

The book itself is very good, but it can be downloaded for free from the ESRI website as an active PDF which contains links that will take you to the relevant areas of the website. Still nice to have a hard copy to refer to, and the content is very good, you can also work through the examples in the book, but you will have to type out the URL's whereas with the PDF you just click on the link.

Sorry didn’t like this book at all.