LIBRARY LETTERS

FORESTS FOR OPTIMISTS AND SPECIES Küchli, C. (1997) Forests of hope: stories of regeneration . Earthscan Publications Ltd., London. 244 pp., photos. Paperback: Price ú19.99. ISBN 1‐85383‐505‐6. For most parts of the world, the general perception is that forests are under threat and are irreplaceably lost at an ever increasing rate. In this beautifully laid out and illustrated book by Christian Küchli a different and hopeful message is presented. He presents twelve well‐researched and readable case studies from both developed and developing countries. These are personal accounts of individual or collective actions to restore, protect and manage forest resources, with the common message that local initiatives and commitment are crucial. He clearly spells out that social and political change exert powerful forces on the forests of the world. However, the important point that he notes is that these may be either negative or positive, whereby the recovery of forests in Central Europe after sweeping social change serves as a powerful positive example. With this he also attempts to provide a new framework for the future by concentrating on what he sees as the most important forest preserving mechanisms. The first one is that local resistance to the exploitation and destruction of forests is crucial. The second is the important recognition that forests have a great capacity to regenerate naturally, a situation which ‘gloom and doom’ messages often neglect or even deny. Thirdly, he advocates that more attention should be paid to the possibilities of near‐natural forest management as a profitable option which still needs to gain full recognition. Whilst not being naive and whilst recognizing the powerful forces threatening forests, particularly in the developing world, this book provides a ray of sunshine and hope. This book is recommended to people interested in the future of forests. It suits both the more optimistic and the sceptical. For the former the book should help to reinforce their hope, and for the latter it may help convince them that not all is lost. For both it should provide a positive incentive to support the current movement towards greater involvement of local people in forest management.