RICHTERSVELD. The Enchanted Wilderness. Graham Williamson

Second revised edition, 2010. Hard cover with dust cover. 260 pages. Very good condition; like new. The dust covers top edge is a bit worn. Over 1kg.

Located in the north west corner, with the Orange River as its northern boundary, the Richtersveld is South Africa's only true desert. This all encompassing natural history work vividly describes the landscape of this area - from its great sand plains to the rugged mountains that change dramatically with the varying light of day and seasons of the year. Original thoughts and observations fill the chapters on the plants, where the author brings habitats, pollination, flowers and evolution to life. These sections are highly illustrated and a checklist of more than 1700 plants is also included. Further chapters cover the fossil sites, the weather and the geology - with its ancient rocks and jagged mountains dating back more than 2000 million years. The Richtersveld is also home to the last remaining traditional nomadic herders in South Africa, who are sympathetically described and photographed. The epilogue discusses the environmental status of the Richtersveld from pre-historic times to the present, and puts the onslaught by man on this fragile ecosystem into perspective. Author Graham Williamson has created an all encompassing work: a guide to tempt the traveller; a source book on the history of the people and the geology of the area; and an illustrated reference work of the flora and fauna of this enchanted African wilderness.