Introduction: An invitation to explore ; An intriguing natural history ; A sensory experience ; Human influences ; General themes ; Scope -- PART I. DESERTS OF THE WORLD. CAUSES OF ARIDITY Definition of a desert ; Definition of aridity ; High-pressure zones ; Rain shadows ; Continentality ; Cold ocean currents ; Additional causes -- DESERTS OF THE WORLD. Sahara Desert ; Atacama Desert ; Gobi Desert ; Australian deserts ; Polar deserts ; North American deserts -- PART II: MOJAVE DESERT. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Precipitation ; Temperature ; Past climates ; Geography ; Geology ; Soils ; Summary -- WATER. Pleistocene patterns ; Rivers ; Riparian zones ; Springs ; Tinajas ; Playas -- PLANTS. Biogeography and biodiversity ; Playas ; Alkali scrub ; Shrublands ; Uplands ; Wetlands ; Sand dunes ; Plant adaptations ; Plant interactions -- ANIMALS. Biogeography and biodiversity ; Playas ; Alkali scrub ; Shrublands ; Uplands ; Canyons ; Wetlands ; Sand dunes ; Animal adaptations ; Animal interactions -- HUMAN ADAPTATIONS. Early occupants ; Native Americans ; Western expansion ; Mining and modern roads ; Railroads ; Military ; Modern adaptations -- DISRUPTIONS. Droughts ; Floods: erosion and deposition ; Wind: erosion and deposition ; Invasive plants and fire ; Invasive animals ; Climate change ; Other human influences -- MANAGEMENT. Conservation ; Restoration ; Legislation and education -- SPECIAL PLACES. Geological wonders ; Water in the desert ; Climatic extremes ; Biodiversity hotspots ; Humans in the past ; Humans in the present -- FUTURE PROSPECTS. Current status ; Future scenarios ; The way forward ; Final musings -- Appendix: Common and Latin names of animals ; Common and Latin names of plants ; Conversion from English to metric units ; Plant and animal strategies to survive in arid climates ; Indigenous uses of plants.