Space in the Tropics: From Convicts to Rockets in French Guiana

The book "Space in the Tropics" by Peter Redfield is a groundbreaking exploration of the intersections of nature and culture, as seen through the lens of the Ariane rocket program in French Guiana.

This fascinating study delves into the myth of Robinson Crusoe, nineteenth-century prison reform, the Dreyfus Affair, tropical medicine, postwar exploration of outer space, satellite technology, development, and ecotourism, all set against the unique backdrop of the South American rainforest.

With a focus on place and the incorporation of this particular place into greater extended systems, Redfield argues that technology and nature must be understood within a greater ecology of displacement.

This is an anthropological survey in the most traditional sense, filled with marvelous details of the "life-world" of Kourou, and Redfield's charming prose style makes this book an enjoyable read.

Don't miss out on this thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the intersection of nature and culture in the modern world.