When the Sahara Was Green: How Our Greatest Desert Came to Be

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The little-known history of how the Sahara was transformed from a green and fertile land into the largest hot desert in the world.

The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world, equal in size to China or the United States. Yet, this arid expanse was once a verdant, pleasant land, fed by rivers and lakes. The Sahara sustained abundant plant and animal life, such as Nile perch, turtles, crocodiles, and hippos, and attracted prehistoric hunters and herders. What transformed this land of lakes into a sea of sands When the Sahara Was Green describes the remarkable history of Earths greatest desertincluding why its climate changed, the impact this had on human populations, and how scientists uncovered the evidence for these extraordinary events.

From the Saharas origins as savanna woodland and grassland to its current arid incarnation, Martin Williams takes us on a vivid journey through time. He describes how the deserts ancient rocks were first fashioned, how dinosaurs roamed freely across the land, and how it was later covered in tall trees. Along the way, Williams addresses many questions: Why was the Sahara previously much wetter, and will it be so again Did humans contribute to its desertification What was the impact of extreme climatic episodessuch as prolonged droughtsupon the Saharas geology, ecology, and inhabitants Williams also shows how plants, animals, and humans have adapted to the Sahara and what lessons we might learn for living in harmony with the harshest, driest conditions in an ever-changing global environment.

A valuable look at how an iconic region has changed over thousands of years, When the Sahara Was Green reveals the deserts surprising past to reflect on its present, as well as its possible future.

Reviews

"Winner of the ASLI Choice Award, Atmospheric Science Librarians International"
"Winner of the PROSE Award in Earth Science, Association of American Publishers"
"Winner of the Special Book Award, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards"
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A detailed and authoritative account that reveals the rich and fascinating story of this unique landscape and its climate, geology and natural history. . . . Williamss book offers a wonderful insight into how climate can transform the landscape across long stretches of time, as well as how delicately balanced are the ecosystems on which we depend.

"---P. D. Smith, The Guardian
"This vivid historical survey by Earth scientist Martin Williams is the result of a lifetimes work."---Andrew Robinson, Nature
"Fascinating. . . . Engrossing. . . . When the Sahara Was Green covers the cyclical, gradual desiccation of the Sahara, the changing of its biomes, the nature of its current occupants, and even the question of its future. Its formidably researched . . . but so warmly, approachably written that learning was never so pleasant."---Steve Donoghue, Open Letters Review
"Given Williamss deep well of knowledge, this book could have been bogged down by technicalities and jargon. Instead, When the Sahara Was Green is admirably accessible to a broad audience with only basic knowledge of geography and earth sciences. Furthermore, the book stands out for the numerous clear and well-designed illustrations that explain complex concepts."---Leon Vlieger, Inquisitive Biologist
"Highly accessible . . . and filled with interesting facts about geological history."---Nicole Barbaro, Bookmarked

Author Bio

Martin Williams is professor emeritus and adjunct professor of earth sciences at the University of Adelaide. His many books include Climate Change in Deserts; Nile Waters, Saharan Sands; and The Nile Basin. He lives in Glenalta, South Australia.