This is the most comprehensive and significant statement about the value and potential of economic geography in thirty years. More than forty leading economists and geographers from around the world investigate the rival theories and perspectives that have sustained the recent development of economic geography, and offer stimulating insights into the emerging global economy of the twenty-first century. The editors have outstanding reputations for original research at the boundaries of economics and geography. They have taught in leading U. S. and European universities, and have contributed to significant debates about the theory of economic geography and its applications to public policy. The handbook is devoted to the frontiers of the field, eschewing nostalgia for the past in favour of contributions relevant to the emerging global economy of the twenty-first century. From general statements about the history and evolution of the field to statements about the crucial problems of economic geography, it is concerned with the rival theories and perspectives that have sustained the recent growth of economic geography. Always provocative and challenging, it will continue to define the terms of debate for the coming decade.

高登，克拉克(GordonL．Clark，gordon．clark@geog．ox．ac．uk)是牛津大学地理系“麦金德”(Halford Mackinder)讲座教授和萨伊德商学院(Said Business School)董事，是位于英国牛津的圣彼德学院的兼职教授。他还在哈佛大学、芝加哥大学、卡内基・麦伦大学和莫纳士大学担任过职务，是美国国家科学院(华盛顿)“安德鲁・麦伦学者”(Andrew Mellon Fellow)获得者。除了在这个领域发表了很多论文，他也出版了一系列经济地理学和政治经济学的著作，包括最近出版的《养老金基金的资本主义》(Pension Fund Capitalism)、《全球经济中的亚洲新兴工业化国家》(The Asian NIEs in the Global Economy，与W．B．金合著)、《美国工业中的养老金和公司重构》(Pensions and Corporate Restructuring in American In-dustry)、《围攻之下的工会和社区》(Unions and Communities under Siege)，以及《区域动力》(Regional Dynamics，与M．格特勒和L怀特曼合著)。他目前的研究是泛欧养老金和金融服务的正在演化的单一市场。

马瑞兰・费尔德曼(Maryann P. Feldman. maryann. feldman＠jhuedu)是美国约翰・霍普金斯大学政策研究所研究员。她在《美国经济评论》(American Eco-nomic Review)、《经济学与统计学评论》(Review of Economics and Statistics)、《欧洲经济评论》(European Economic Review)和《产业与企业变化》(Industrial and Corporate Change)等杂志上发表了超过25篇的经济地理学论文。她的著作包括《创新地理》(Geography of Innovation)和《知识经济的创新政策》(Innova-tion Policy for a Knowledge-Based Economy，与A．林克合著)。她目前的研究集中在企业家精神和区域发展、演化中的产学关系，以及科学技术政策。

默瑞克・格特勒(Meric S. Gertler. gertler＠geography. utoronto. ca)是加拿大多伦多大学加拿大研究的“高德林”(G01dring)教授、地理和规划系教授和国际研究中心成员。他在牛津大学和位于加的夫的威尔士大学担任过访问职务。他的著作包括《区域动力》(Regional ynamics，与G．克拉克和J．怀特曼合著)、《全球竞争的新纪元》(The New Era of Global Competition，与D．德拉奇合著)，以及《制造业文化》(Manufacturing Culture)。此外，他还是《经济地理学》(The Journal of Economic Geography)的创刊副主编。他目前的研究集中在制造业技术和劳动实践的跨地区和跨国转移，创新的区域和国家，体系，以及欧洲和北美的经济重构。

凯特・威廉姆斯(KateWilliams，katew@summertown7．u-net．com)是生活在英国牛津的一位自由教师、作家和编辑。她在牛津和牛津布鲁克斯地区的大学以及其他地方经营写作计划。她的出版物包括《学习技巧》(Study Skills)和《发展写作》(Developing Writing)。她正在写作《研究生手册》(The Postgraduate Student Handbook)。