This reference work is the first English-language A-Z compendium on all topics related to deserts, including geography, geology, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, botany, zoology, anthropology, art, music, film, culture, sports, as well as the specific and diversely different deserts that one finds in all parts of the world. Definitions, explanations, and clarifications will be contained in more than 2,300 entries that vary in length from a brief sentence to detailed overviews of more complex subjects. The Desert Encyclopedia will be invaluable as a source of data and information, but it is also enjoyable to read straight through. It is also replete with line drawings, black-and-white illustrations, maps, and images from outstanding photographers.

Robert Hauptman holds a doctorate in comparative literature, is a doctoral candidate (ABD) in library science, and is a retired full professor (St. Cloud State University). His ca. 700 scholarly and popular publications (including 16 books) in five disciplines deal with a host of topics. He is diversely knowledgeable, has traveled widely and frequently in all 50 states and almost 40 countries, and has visited many deserts. He climbs mountains frequently.