`This highly informative text, supported by statistical tables and diagrams ... is recommended for academic, planning and decision-making processes.' - Environmental Education and Information`The book is excellent and will become a major reference not only for geographers but for students in other environmental studies.' - Annals of the Association of American Geographers` ... presents a very readable overview of the world's drylands and of the socio-economic issues influencing the different approaches to management.' - The Geographical Journal