Review by Choice Review
Hart integrates natural, social, economic, and political history into a story about Mono Lake, an ancient inland sea in the eastern Sierra. Over the past 50 years, feeder streams have been diverted to supply cheap water to Los Angeles, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in the lake's volume and profound impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Hart tells how in the 1970s a handful of people with minimal financial resources began a campaign to save a dying lake. In what looked like a doomed fight against Los Angeles, the entire California state government, and wasteful public attitudes, they finally won restrictions on the stream diversions that will, hopefully, return the lake to health. By focusing on the key individuals involved, Hart constructs a compelling story of relentless development, public involvement, the role of science in public policy, public trust, and the public interest. The principal message is one of hope for environmentalists engaged in "David versus Goliath" disputes. Rounding out the essay are 31 color photos from leading nature photographers, along with numerous black-and-white photos, illustrations, and maps. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. S. Hollenhorst West Virginia University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
