How can dedicated individuals influence the preservation of fragile island ecosystems in the face of modern development? Kenneth Brower examines the environmental history and ecological significance of Micronesia through the lens of two conservationists committed to protecting these remote island chains. By documenting their efforts, the author explores the intersection of human intervention and natural preservation in one of the world's most isolated regions.

Readers frequently note the descriptive, narrative quality of the prose which brings the remote setting to life. Experts highlight this work as a significant contribution to the literature of environmental conservation in the Pacific.