BRIAN W. BLOUET, born in Britain and educated at the University of Hull, is Huby Professor of Geography and International Education at The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. His research for this book in British archives included collections in Oxford, Reading, London, and Edinburgh.

"[Blouet's] book is a welcome addition to the growing body of writing on Mackinder; it is enjoyable to read and reflects the author's diligent search for new material.... This is a well-drawn portrait of a most remarkable man." - The Geographical Journal "... does an excellent job of introducing and interweaving both Mackinder's multiple careers and his geographical ideas and writings. This is an excellent intellectual biography of an important if enigmatic figure in the history of geography." - Social Science Quarterly "Blouet has written a fine biography of Mackinder... Interesting reading for intellectual historians, upper-division and graduate students, and general readers." - Choice"