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Periodically while presenting at a conference or teaching a class, I'll have people ask me about books on GIS. I have a few favorites that I always recommend, so I'll start adding them here as well.
The first book I'm reviewing is "The GIS Book" by George Korte. I believe it the most current version is the 5th edition, and is currently published through Delmar Learning, but is available through many retailers, including Amazon.
You can read some of it online through Google Books.
I originally read this in a pre-published version. I attended a workshop with George Korte while he was waiting for the first edition to be published, and he passed out copies bound in plastic combs. I found Mr Korte an excellent presenter, and the material was very good. The book was an expansion of the topic (or maybe the presentation was a contraction of the book?).
What I really like about the book, is it is the best overall coverage of GIS and what GIS is that I've ever read. It is a non-technical description of the technology and its uses. That's right - non technical. It is written in easy to read language and doesn't give a lot of jargon that requires an industry insider. I have foud it useful in various organizations to give this book to managers to help them understand what it is I do/can do. It is the perfect introduction. When I teach classes in introductory GIS, this is one of the books I use as a textbook.
As the years have gone by, Mr Korte has updated it, and even provided a ROI calculator spreadsheet to help determine the value of GIS.
So, if you're looking at a great intro or overview of GIS, by someone who "gets it," check out "The GIS Book."
Here's an interview with the author from GISVision.
