Australia's arid outback is teeming with life ... when you know where to look. From taipan snakes and pelicans to hippie activists and hardline miners, John Read brings to life the characters, creatures and cultures of the outback. Through vivid, personal stories he shares his experience as an ecologist making new discoveries; challenging conventional approaches to pastoralism, mining, tourism and environmental management; and witnessing the precarious balance of nature as species are pitted against the harsh climate of the outback. Written in an accessible and non-scientific style, Red Sand, Green Heart: Ecological adventures in the outback evokes a humorous, entertaining and informative picture of Australia's desert region and the environmental issues that affect us all.