This is a very beautiful book. It abounds with treasuered monuments and the marvels of nature across the globe. It is a book for conservationists, sponsered by UNESCO and as such it takes a turn that most books of its kind do not.

What struck me immediately about this book was that the pictures are "different". After a few minutes I realized why. These pictures succeed in making all of these glorious sights somehow more real, more tangible and infinitely more accessible. Sometimes the traditional view is taken from another angle and it shows the section of the building that is crumbling. Often there are people photographs where it's uncommone to see them. Overall, the color is softer, more human than most large picture books and the result is a very beautiful book.

The book is divided by country with informative text in each section. Bear in mind that I bought this as a picture book. Yet I found myself reading the text over and over.

Each item is explained with its location, a description, and its significance, but that is such a dry way to explain this book.

The book has history and life on every page.

UNESCO is dedicated to saving so many things. I will try just to list some of the gorgeous items in these pages: Machu Piccu, Iguazu Falls, Lord Howe Island, The Mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor, Mon St. Michel, Tikal, Ellora Caves, Darien National Park in Panama, Chan Chan, Auschwitz, Tower of Elem, Garajonay National Park, Carthage.

This is a very stirring book. I wish I could do it justice

Written by two leaders in UNESCO with academic ties, this book exposes trends developing throughout the world, their social and environmental impacts, and suggests directions in developing future solutions. The book is well organized and scientific in tone, and appears to be written from a very well informed viewpoint. The authors draw from a wide range of sources to document their findings and recommendations. Each chapter ends with a list of "Pointers and Recommendations" and an extensive list of bibliographic references.

The book is divided into four parts:
1. Towards a New Social Contract
2. Towards a Natural Contract: Science, Development and the Environment
3. Towards a Cultural Contract: From the Information Society to the Knowledge Society?
4. Towards a New Ethical Contract.

Overall, this is an informative and thought provoking read. I liked the fact that the authors summarized chapters with some novel and surprising yet viable solutions to world problems. The only thing I did not like was that their solutions seemed to be speaking to those in higher levels of governments, and made little mention of possible solutions that could be implemented by communities and individuals.

I recommend this book for those wanting a current (©2001) and thorough look at the effects of globalization and some recommendations for future direction.

Fisas calls for complete disarmament of all countries, except for local police forces; for a standing one world army; for independent sources of financing so the UN isn't dependent on the good will of its members; UN ownership of all military bases in each country; etc. Ought to scare the hell out of anyone who loves their country. If you hate your country, you'll love this book.