The Russian Far East: A Reference Guide for Conservation and Development

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Reference Book
Review: by Sharon Hudgins, Author of THE OTHER SIDE OF RUSSIA:

Josh Newell's THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST is a reference book that belongs in the library of anyone interested in this part of the world. Its contents represent several years of research by a wide range of experts on the Russian Far East, making it a highly useful resource not only for scholars and academics, but also for people working in the media, international businesses, governmental agencies, and NGOs.

After the first chapter presenting an overview of the entire region, the remaining 10 chapters are devoted to the individual political-administrative divisions of the Russian Far East, with information on the location, size, climate, flora, fauna, largest cities, population, political status, natural resources, main industries, infrastructure, foreign trade, economic importance, and general outlook for the future.

A real strength of this book is that individual sections and essays were written by more than 90 specialists from Russia, the USA, and the United Kingdom--on such topics as ecology, biodiversity hotspots, the economy, sustainable development, legal issues, and indigenous peoples. And the authors of these sections do an admirable job of maintaining a balance between official Russian statistics and other information likely to be more accurate. They recognize that such factors as "widespread corruption" often distort official statistics, as does intentional misinformation by public and private sources following their own particular agendas.

Not only is this book fascinating to read, it is also very well designed to display massive amounts of diverse information in ways that make that information easily accessible to the reader. More than 50 maps, some of them in color, provide excellent cartographic references for the topics covered in the text. Eighty clearly drawn charts, graphs, and tables present statistical and comparative data related to the individual essays in the text. And numerous photographs give the reader a sense of the land and people, plants and animals, that make up the Russian Far East.

Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: A complete update of the classic 1996 reference
Review: Now in its second edition, The Russian Far East: A Reference Guide For Conservation And Development is a complete update of the classic 1996 reference, offering region-by-region maps and information concerning geography, climate, flora and fauna, population and resources, as well as contributions from ninety authors giving expert analysis and insights, black and white photographs, and tables and charts to form a comprehensive handbook of the Russian Far East environment. A first-rate referenve for environmental studies shelves, with a great wealth of information and insights arranged in easy-to-look-up format.

Rating:
Summary: THE handbook on the Russian Far East
Review: The Russian Far East is the most biologically diverse area of the largest country on earth, but it is also perhaps the least well-known area of the planet with regards to both conservation and potential development. This reference guide has become at once THE essential document for all who address the treasures and perils of the region. The volume presents an overview of the region and important historical, environmental, and political themes, then addresses each political sub-division of the Russian Far East separately and concisely. The text involved the work of many dozens of collaborators, and it represents a historic convergence of specialists, institutions, and advocates for protection and sustainable development of one of the planet's least know treasures, the Russian Far East.

- Dr. John Cloud
c/o National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Central Library

Rating:
Summary: Nothing better or more timely on this region!
Review: This compendium of valuable information is crucial to all research in this region - from biogeography to environmental studies to ecology to ethnic studies. There is no other book in which all of this information is so easily accessible. The thoughtfulness and organization of the author is visible on every page. I recommend this book for any type of audience interested in this area.