Great Black Dragon Fire: A Chinese Inferno - Hardcover

Salisbury, Harrison E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0316809039 ISBN 13: 9780316809030

Publisher: Little Brown & Co, 1989

Synopsis

Considering the global implications of the disaster, Salisbury describes the devastation and ecological and environmental consequences of the 1987 fire in Manchuria that destroyed an area the size of England

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

For a full month, early May to early June in 1987, the fire raged on both sides of the Sino-Soviet frontier along the Black Dragon River, destroying some 10 percent of the world's conifer reserves before it was put out with the help of two Chinese armies. Salisbury, the only foreign correspondent allowed into the area, interviewed officials, soldiers, foresters and plain folk directly involved (the death toll, about 200, was considered surprisingly small) and here presents an awe-inspiring account of what may have been the largest fire in world history--the devastated area is roughly the size of New England. The veteran journalist ( The 900 Days et al.), noting that he was more affected by this story than any other he has covered, explores the dire ecological ramifications with emphasis on the desertification of China, where overcutting and fires claim three million acres a year. Particularly troubling to Salisbury is the sluggishness of Chinese officialdom in developing safeguards against future holocausts in China's vast "Green Sea." Photos.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Little Brown & Co
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0316809039
• ISBN 13: 9780316809030
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 180