The debate about the purpose and practice of historical geography has often focused upon the progress to be made in the discipline through an adaptation to new problems, new methodologies, new techniques and new sources. Originally published in 1984, this volume of interpretative essays extends that debate by exploring in tentative fashion some basic methodological and substantive issues from essentially interdisciplinary standpoints. In any exploration, risks have to be accepted as an integral part of this enterprise. All of the contributors to this book take pleasure in one another"s polemical company, and each essay explores a wide field while being soundly based in personal research. The hope is that some of this pleasure will be shared by those who critically read these essays.