Author uses as point of reference the 15 case studies prepared for the United Nations Conference on Desertification, held in Nairobi, Kenya, August 1977. A powerfully written tour of selected anti-desertification efforts around the world. The author paints a series of fascinating big pictures from particular areas of China, Australia, Tunisia, Iran, Israel, Iraq, or the USA. In each case he captures both an overview of environmental trends on the ground, and a dramatic human story involving tragedy, courage, strategy, and ingenuity. The library has a hard copy.