American Geographical Society

L'Afrique Blanche Francaise. Volume 1, L'Afrique du Nord by Jean DespoisReview by: Henry Madison KendallGeographical Review, Vol. 40, No. 3 (Jul., 1950), pp. 509-510Published by: American Geographical SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/211236 .

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GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEWS GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEWS

techniques pertaining to them. The discussion is decidedly incomplete, and there are many questionable statements. The author does make one contribution, however; he confirms that the synoptic patterns and weather sequences noted in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere and in the western Pacific Ocean also occur, somewhat modified as one would suspect, in East Africa and the western Indian Ocean.

Part V, the conclusion, contains a list of some problems for investigation and some

suggestions regarding forecasting techniques. It is unfortunate that publication of the memoir was delayed until 1949, three years

after it was prepared, and that it has not been revised. So much progress has been made in

tropical meteorology that most of the comments are of only historical value. The time factor and others mentioned above suggest that the memoir is not of as much use to the geographer as the title would lead one to believe. Geographers seeking the latest information on fore-

casting in the tropics would do better to consult "Tropical Meteorology," AAF Manual

105-2, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, May, I945; "Handbook of Meteorology," edited by F. A. Berry, Jr., E. Bollay, and Norman R. Beers, New York and London (McGraw-Hill), I945; various reports by Herbert Riehl and G. P. Cressman in the Miscellaneous Reports of the Department of Meteorology, University of Chicago; and scattered literature in American, British, and New Zealand meteorological publications.-LEO ALPERT

L'AFRIQUE BLANCHE FRANQAISE. Volume i, L'Afrique du Nord. ByJEAN DESPOIs.

xvi and 624 pp.; maps, diagrs., ills., bibliogr., index. (Colonies et Empires, 4th Ser.,

Geographie de l'Union Francaise, Vol. i.) Presses Universitaires de France, Paris, I949. 900 fr. 9 x 5 M inches.

In the foreword to "L'Afrique du Nord" Professor Jean Dresch remarks that the average citizen of France knows little about foreign lands in general and even less about the lands which make up the French Union. He adds that, although there are many ranking works on the various parts of the Union, they are all works for specialists and therefore do not

perform the function, so significant since World War II, of educating the average citizen. The task undertaken by the series "Geographie de l'Union Franqaise," which is under the

particular direction of Professor Dresch, is to create a real understanding of the overseas parts of the Union "in a spirit stripped as completely as possible of all colonialist tendency."

Professor Jean Despois, of the Faculty of Letters of Algiers, is eminently well equipped to carry out this task in a workmanlike fashion, as his books on Tunisia, Tripolitania, Libya, and the Sahara testify. In "L'Afrique du Nord" he is dealing with a region and with people he knows and understands.

"The principal object of this book," he states in the introduction, "is to study the geographic consequences of contact between two civilizations very different in their as- pirations and in their techniques." To this aim he adheres strictly. The facts, both physical and cultural, are presented admirably; the conclusions are reached with precise logic; and all parts of the book tie back to the theme so concisely stated in the introduction.

As Despois defines North Africa it is synonymous with the Atlas lands-Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. He emphasizes the essential physical unity of the region, though he reiterates that it is a unity of repetition rather than of monotony. On the other hand, he points out, there has been no unifying force so far as the human element is concerned. Likewise, no real integration of human activity with the land existed before the coming of the French.

techniques pertaining to them. The discussion is decidedly incomplete, and there are many questionable statements. The author does make one contribution, however; he confirms that the synoptic patterns and weather sequences noted in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere and in the western Pacific Ocean also occur, somewhat modified as one would suspect, in East Africa and the western Indian Ocean.

Part V, the conclusion, contains a list of some problems for investigation and some

suggestions regarding forecasting techniques. It is unfortunate that publication of the memoir was delayed until 1949, three years

after it was prepared, and that it has not been revised. So much progress has been made in

tropical meteorology that most of the comments are of only historical value. The time factor and others mentioned above suggest that the memoir is not of as much use to the geographer as the title would lead one to believe. Geographers seeking the latest information on fore-

casting in the tropics would do better to consult "Tropical Meteorology," AAF Manual

105-2, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, May, I945; "Handbook of Meteorology," edited by F. A. Berry, Jr., E. Bollay, and Norman R. Beers, New York and London (McGraw-Hill), I945; various reports by Herbert Riehl and G. P. Cressman in the Miscellaneous Reports of the Department of Meteorology, University of Chicago; and scattered literature in American, British, and New Zealand meteorological publications.-LEO ALPERT

L'AFRIQUE BLANCHE FRANQAISE. Volume i, L'Afrique du Nord. ByJEAN DESPOIs.

xvi and 624 pp.; maps, diagrs., ills., bibliogr., index. (Colonies et Empires, 4th Ser.,

Geographie de l'Union Francaise, Vol. i.) Presses Universitaires de France, Paris, I949. 900 fr. 9 x 5 M inches.

In the foreword to "L'Afrique du Nord" Professor Jean Dresch remarks that the average citizen of France knows little about foreign lands in general and even less about the lands which make up the French Union. He adds that, although there are many ranking works on the various parts of the Union, they are all works for specialists and therefore do not

perform the function, so significant since World War II, of educating the average citizen. The task undertaken by the series "Geographie de l'Union Franqaise," which is under the

particular direction of Professor Dresch, is to create a real understanding of the overseas parts of the Union "in a spirit stripped as completely as possible of all colonialist tendency."

Professor Jean Despois, of the Faculty of Letters of Algiers, is eminently well equipped to carry out this task in a workmanlike fashion, as his books on Tunisia, Tripolitania, Libya, and the Sahara testify. In "L'Afrique du Nord" he is dealing with a region and with people he knows and understands.

"The principal object of this book," he states in the introduction, "is to study the geographic consequences of contact between two civilizations very different in their as- pirations and in their techniques." To this aim he adheres strictly. The facts, both physical and cultural, are presented admirably; the conclusions are reached with precise logic; and all parts of the book tie back to the theme so concisely stated in the introduction.

As Despois defines North Africa it is synonymous with the Atlas lands-Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. He emphasizes the essential physical unity of the region, though he reiterates that it is a unity of repetition rather than of monotony. On the other hand, he points out, there has been no unifying force so far as the human element is concerned. Likewise, no real integration of human activity with the land existed before the coming of the French.

509 509

This content downloaded from 169.229.32.137 on Thu, 8 May 2014 20:16:14 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

THE GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW THE GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Slowly, however, a rational readjustment is leading toward an economic, if not a cultural, unity.

The book is divided into five parts. The first is entitled "The Natural Conditions." Climate, landforms, vegetation, and soil are treated systematically, and a concluding chapter outlines natural regions and discusses agricultural limits and possibilities. In the second part, "The Human Conditions," chapters on foreign influences, Berber society and Moslem influence, and the French in North Africa lead to a summary statement of the nature of the present-day population. Part 3 analyzes the evolution of native economies. Part 4, the

longest, is a detailed examination of "The Work of Colonization." Here the chapter head-

ings reflect the intensity with which the author has treated this topic: Rural Colonization;

Agricultural Production-Economic and Social Problems-Forests; Mineral Wealth and Sources of Energy; Industries-Fishing; and Transportation and Trade. The final part com-

prises a chapter each on Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco and a general conclusion. Thus the treatment constantly stresses French North Africa as a whole; only at the end is there a

departure from that position to suggest that the main differences between the parts of the

region are matters of degree. The text is amply footnoted, and there is a well-chosen 46- page bibliography. The accompanying maps leave much to be desired, except for three fold-ins. Cf these, particular attention should be called to one showing native economies. It is unfortunate that there are no population distribution or density maps on the same scale.

In a work cf this kind it is not to be expected that any considerable body of new factual material will be included. It is rather in the choice of facts, their presentation, and their interpretation that contribution can be made. Professor Despois has left no doubt of his

ability along these lines. He has created a remarkably clear picture of the land, its people, and the problems of readjustment that are to be faced by French North Africa in the present- day world. Above all else, he has emphasized the significance of cultural impact. His reasoned account leaves the impression of continuing, even accelerating, change as the keynote of the region.

Five series are projected in the collection of postwar works "Colonies et Empires" appearing under the general direction of Ch.-Andre Julien: (i) Colonial Studies; (2) The Classics of Colonization; (3) History of French Expansion and Colonization; (4) Geog- raphy of the French Union; and (5) Art and Literature.-HENRY MADISON KENDALL

A WORD GEOGRAPHY OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. By HANS KURATH.

xi and 88 pp. of text and glossary; I63 map plates. (Studies in American English, i.) University of Michigan Press, I949. $4.00.

I 1i x 812 inches.

At dusk in the pastures of New England, New York, and northern Pennsylvania you will hear the call Boss! or Bossie! or Co-boss! or perhaps Come bossie! Go into southern Pennsyl- vania, or West Virginia, or the western parts of Virginia and North Carolina, and it will be Sook! or maybe Sookie! or even Sook cow! Then travel into almost any section of the Pied- mont or Coastal Plain from Delaware Bay to Georgia, and the call will be Co-eel or Co- wench! or Co-inch!

All this you may discover from two maps in this book. Little circles and triangles on Figure 99 indicate where these various calls are used-and there are also maps for the sum- moning of calves, chickens, and pigs and the acceleration and deceleration of horses (Go on! Hoa! etc.; Get tu! and Woao are more or less general and hence are not mapped). On Figure

Slowly, however, a rational readjustment is leading toward an economic, if not a cultural, unity.

The book is divided into five parts. The first is entitled "The Natural Conditions." Climate, landforms, vegetation, and soil are treated systematically, and a concluding chapter outlines natural regions and discusses agricultural limits and possibilities. In the second part, "The Human Conditions," chapters on foreign influences, Berber society and Moslem influence, and the French in North Africa lead to a summary statement of the nature of the present-day population. Part 3 analyzes the evolution of native economies. Part 4, the

longest, is a detailed examination of "The Work of Colonization." Here the chapter head-

ings reflect the intensity with which the author has treated this topic: Rural Colonization;

Agricultural Production-Economic and Social Problems-Forests; Mineral Wealth and Sources of Energy; Industries-Fishing; and Transportation and Trade. The final part com-

prises a chapter each on Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco and a general conclusion. Thus the treatment constantly stresses French North Africa as a whole; only at the end is there a

departure from that position to suggest that the main differences between the parts of the

region are matters of degree. The text is amply footnoted, and there is a well-chosen 46- page bibliography. The accompanying maps leave much to be desired, except for three fold-ins. Cf these, particular attention should be called to one showing native economies. It is unfortunate that there are no population distribution or density maps on the same scale.

In a work cf this kind it is not to be expected that any considerable body of new factual material will be included. It is rather in the choice of facts, their presentation, and their interpretation that contribution can be made. Professor Despois has left no doubt of his

ability along these lines. He has created a remarkably clear picture of the land, its people, and the problems of readjustment that are to be faced by French North Africa in the present- day world. Above all else, he has emphasized the significance of cultural impact. His reasoned account leaves the impression of continuing, even accelerating, change as the keynote of the region.

Five series are projected in the collection of postwar works "Colonies et Empires" appearing under the general direction of Ch.-Andre Julien: (i) Colonial Studies; (2) The Classics of Colonization; (3) History of French Expansion and Colonization; (4) Geog- raphy of the French Union; and (5) Art and Literature.-HENRY MADISON KENDALL

A WORD GEOGRAPHY OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. By HANS KURATH.

xi and 88 pp. of text and glossary; I63 map plates. (Studies in American English, i.) University of Michigan Press, I949. $4.00.

I 1i x 812 inches.

At dusk in the pastures of New England, New York, and northern Pennsylvania you will hear the call Boss! or Bossie! or Co-boss! or perhaps Come bossie! Go into southern Pennsyl- vania, or West Virginia, or the western parts of Virginia and North Carolina, and it will be Sook! or maybe Sookie! or even Sook cow! Then travel into almost any section of the Pied- mont or Coastal Plain from Delaware Bay to Georgia, and the call will be Co-eel or Co- wench! or Co-inch!

All this you may discover from two maps in this book. Little circles and triangles on Figure 99 indicate where these various calls are used-and there are also maps for the sum- moning of calves, chickens, and pigs and the acceleration and deceleration of horses (Go on! Hoa! etc.; Get tu! and Woao are more or less general and hence are not mapped). On Figure

5IO 5IO

This content downloaded from 169.229.32.137 on Thu, 8 May 2014 20:16:14 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions