The Mighty Rain Forest

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

The author looks at rain forests around the world, describing the animals, plants and people who inhabit them and showing how humans are destroying vital natural resources at an alarming rate. He explains how, why and by whom the rain forests are being exterminated, and presents ideas on what can be done to save them. Nichol ( The Animal Smugglers ), head of production and marketing for Worldforest90, a week of international media events scheduled for the fall of this year, knows how to get ideas across to the public; he shares some of his techniques with readers, so that those who are inspired to take up the cause of the rain forests on talk shows will know how to proceed. The text suffers from a lack of editing, but Nichol captures the beauty and mystery of vanishing jungles nevertheless. The 150 photographs, 100 of them in color, are superb. (July)

Library Journal

While this is definitely a coffee-table book in terms of its size and the beauty of its illustrations, the text quite adequately summarizes present knowledge of the world's rain forests. Nichol, a British TV producer and writer, has traveled extensively in rain forest areas and writes with a light touch, including in his narrative some of his personal experiences. His message is serious, however, and the last half of the book is devoted to the discussion of the devastation of the rain forests and how it can be prevented or at least slowed. Sidebars on almost every page sound an ominous note, as they cite statistics and tell anecdotes on rain forest problems. The book concludes with a list of organizations working in rain forest conservation. A very good introduction to this subject; recommended to high school students as well as to general readers.-- Eleanor Maass, Maass Assocs., New Milford, Pa.

School Library Journal

Worldforest '90 is a week of international media events aimed at fighting the disappearance of the fragile rain forest ecosystem. Part of the organizing group's efforts includes this oversized, well-illustrated book that graphically shows the beleaguered forests for mass audiences. The diversity of plants, animals, and humans who subsist in these lush areas are vividly presented in non-technical and very readable terms. Nichol has a warm, engaging style; his anecdotes are laced with humor and poignant human experiences. He maintains a spirit of hopeful enthusiasm as he explains how ordinary people on the other side of the world can help stop the decimation of the rain forest, but he does not hesitate to describe those groups who directly or indirectly are contributing to the disappearance of the rain forests through overcutting, pollution, and depletion of the natural resources. A thoughtful introduction to a serious and complex worldwide situation that touches all human life, this is useful curriculum material for ecology classes and current-events discussions. --Mary T. Gerrity, Queen Anne School, Upper Marlboro, MD