Geographic information systems

GIS literature for beginners:

• Bolstad, P. (2025). GIS fundamentals: A first text on geographic information systems (7th ed.). Eider Press. E-version One of the best general GIS textbooks for beginners. Unlike books tied to specific software, it covers the fundamental principles of GIS: i) spatial data models, ii) coordinate systems, iii) projections, iv) GNSS, v) remote sensing, vi) attribute data, vii) raster and vector analysis, viii) surface analysis, ix) interpolation, x) modeling, xi) standards, and xii) data quality.
• Law, M., & Collins, A. (2026). Getting to know ArcGIS Pro 3.6. Esri Press. Probably the best practical introduction to ArcGIS Pro. It presents and explains the basic concepts of GIS while also introducing practical tasks such as data management, geoprocessing, map layouts, and spatial analysis. It is explicitly intended for students, self-directed learners, and professionals.
• Buckley, A. R., Kimerling, A. J., & Kennelly, P. J. (2026). Map use: Map reading and design (9th ed., Vol. 1). Esri Press. Very useful for understanding the cartographic aspects of GIS, including scale, projections, thematic mapping, map design, relief representation, imagery, and how maps communicate information.

GIS literature for somewhat more advanced users:

• Law, M., & Collins, A. (2024). Getting to know ArcGIS Pro 3.2. Esri Press. The previous edition of Law, M., & Collins, A. (2026), listed above. Nevertheless, it remains useful for beginners. It covers geodatabases, mapping, 3D GIS, geoprocessing, Python programming, and spatiotemporal analysis.
• Gorr, W. L., & Kurland, K. S. (2025). GIS tutorial for ArcGIS Pro 3.4. Esri Press. E-version An excellently structured workbook for beginners. It covers map creation, file geodatabases, geoprocessing, geocoding, and spatial analysis step by step. It is well suited to practical exercises.
• Fu, P. (2025). Getting to know mobile GIS. Esri Press. E-version A good introductory book for understanding how GIS extends beyond desktop mapping, while also explaining field data collection, mobile workflows, location sharing, and web GIS. Its straightforward explanations are accessible even to beginners.
• Esri. (2025). A to Z GIS: An illustrated dictionary of geographic information systems (3rd ed.). Esri Press. A very useful companion reference for beginners. It contains nearly 3,000 GIS terms and hundreds of illustrations, making it helpful for learning terminology such as topology, geodatabase, raster, geocoding, spatial join, datum, and projection.
• Carpenter, C., Lange, J., & Szukalski, B. (2024). Top 20 essential skills for ArcGIS Online. Esri Press. A very practical introduction to web GIS. It teaches how to use ArcGIS Online to create layers, web maps, and professional visualizations. The chapters are intentionally short and task-oriented, making the book especially suitable for beginners.