Love (a writer, no university affiliation) describes the terrain of the Australian Great Barrier Reef, with attention to the ecological, biological, and geological significance of its unique habitat. She details the evolutionary processes which have produced it, and discusses the threats it currently faces. Biological history is thus interwoven with social and political history. Consideration is given to the perspectives of mariners, pearl divers, naturalists, filmmakers, pirates, industrialists, and tourists. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)