Much of the theoretical literature in planning and human geography at present is materialist in perspective. This offers a powerful critique but locates the dynamics of urban systems too specifically in just one basic social relationship. It fails to provide an intellectual base broad enough for constructive, detailed urban analysis, partly because it fails to do justice to the reflective awareness of the individual. The alternative humanist position redresses the balance in favour of the individual but again cannot serve the practical requirements of urban analysis since it so often ignores social or contextual analysis. Ian Cullen synthesizes these tow apparently inconsistent theoretical positions and to render the increasingly obscure debate between them accessible. This book was first published in 1984.

Adventure feature in which a young man must prepare himself to do battle with the dragon that killed his father. Will Shepherd (Richard McWilliams) lives a simple and rustic life in the mountains until the unfortunate death of his father. Forced to seek a living in the lowlands thereafter, Will ends up in the employment of Sterling (Ian Cullen), a local land owner and knight. Sterling thinks little of Will and sends him to work on the farm, but the old man's daughter, Kate (Nicola Posener), befriends the boy from the mountains. The pair set about unravelling a past mystery which has bound their families together and getting Will ready for the rite of passage in which he must take on and destroy the dragon.

Much of the theoretical literature in planning and human geography at present is materialist in perspective. This offers a powerful critique but locates the dynamics of urban systems too specifically in just one basic social relationship. It fails to provide an intellectual base broad enough for constructive, detailed urban analysis, partly because it fails to do justice to the reflective awareness of the individual. The alternative humanist position redresses the balance in favour of the individual but again cannot serve the practical requirements of urban analysis since it so often ignores social or contextual analysis. Ian Cullen synthesizes these tow apparently inconsistent theoretical positions and to render the increasingly obscure debate between them accessible. This book was first published in 1984.