At the risk of sounding harsh, I have to say I cannot stand this book. Though I understand the importance of fully understanding the meaning of Place, I do not see the necessity of dissecting and observing each part of the word over and over. To me, Cresswell writes in circles. I feel as though the definition of place including all of its connotations can be summed up within a single paragraph, and the rest of the text in the book is merely a bunch of fluff. Again Cresswell referred to place as a social construction, a physical location, a space occupied and associated with meaning, and as a set of political boundaries. That, to me, is it. Referring to other author's works, as was done throughout the entire chapter, just basically reiterates the fact that Cresswell has produced no real new concepts of the term Place. His answer to the simple question of, what is place? has been derived from numerous accounts of the term by others. Cresswell has not provided any inspiring insight into the idea of Place worthy enough to compose an entire book.
If place is a social construction, I, as a member of society, have constructed a meaning of the term. I understand its definition as a whole and thus do not see the point of trying to exploit the idea of Place as something worthy of such painstaking observance.
If I have missed a key factor in Cresswell's efforts to define Place, I would appreciate an explanation. Otherwise, I cannot appreciate his writing at all.
I apologize for such a negative response!
