"The author deftly weaves the materials of natural and human history into a radiant, tightly woven fabric. . . . This classic is a book for all seasons-to be reread and savored over the years."- Latin America in Books "His superb writing style and the timelessness of his subject (the natural world and the interaction of human beings with it) make this every bit as enjoyable today as it was in the 1960's."- Books of the Southwest "Well-written and fascinating."- Journal of Arid Environments