Thomas Paradis

Theme Town: a Geography of Landscape and Community in Flagstaff, Arizona Thomas Paradis

This book changes the way we view our everyday human landscapes by taking us on a 22-stop adventure through the heart of Flagstaff, Arizona. In Flagstaff's America Tour, the reader encounters four distinct though interacting landscape scenes: a themed historic business district, a pre-War multi-ethnic neighborhood, an expanding university campus, and a dynamic automobile commercial strip. Prior to the tour, Part 1 introduces us to the fascinating study of geography and the interpretation of human landscapes. In Part 2 Paradis discusses the expansion of the AT&SF Railway and its role in Flagstaff's own historical development. He further analyzes the implications of this global cargo corridor on Flagstaff's local community and themed landscapes. The entire book integrates a variety of cultural, economic, political, global, and environmental perspectives to understand the complexities of our everyday world. Whether enjoyed from the bustling streets of downtown Flagstaff or from the comfort of our own homes, Theme Town will encourage us to see our own local places with fresh and inquisitive eyes.