This book investigates the complex and often contested concept of territory and its historical and theoretical underpinnings. Stuart Elden, a noted geographer and political theorist, draws upon a wide range of sources, including philosophy, political science, and history, to deconstruct how territory has been understood and produced. The book examines how notions of territory are not simply geographical facts but are actively constructed through social, political, and intellectual practices, challenging simplistic understandings of borders and states.

The book is recognized for its comprehensive and theoretically rigorous engagement with the concept of territory. Scholars have noted its ambitious scope and its success in synthesizing diverse intellectual traditions to offer a nuanced understanding of territoriality. The work is considered a significant contribution to political geography and social theory, providing a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the historical and conceptual complexities of how territory is made and understood.