Acid Rain ¦ Conserving Rainforests

That there is still a place for narrative non-fiction to fulfil the demands of the 'project approach' is nicely exemplified by this new series from Wayland. Here the authors (good credentials, resonant names) have been encouraged to stretch their literary legs with excellent illustrative support, so we get a full and very readable account of the subject matter before going on to discover what's gone wrong and what to do about it.

Banks' thoughtful treatment of the issue of rainforest management is a fine antidote to some of the popular press hysteria on the subject (which is nearly all that's available to your average student) and his text is packed with examples of good and bad practice. The cartophile in me notices some excellent maps.

The angler in me notices the ravishing Swedish lake-scape that begins Baines' book; sadly the water is bereft of life thanks to industrial acid. A proper explanation of the pollution cycle's addition to the oft-forgotten natural acidification of inland waters leads to well chronicled examples of its effects (first officially recorded in 1872) from which even the Statue of Liberty is not immune! Actual and potential remedies are also realistically dealt with.

In each volume glossary, index and bibliography are excellent, and I look forward to further members of this handsome series.