The Red Sea region can be explored on two levels, the dry land and the world concealed beneath the waves. The first offers infinitely variable natural beauty and a history stretching back to the remotest of times, while the second is incomparable in terms of clarity, vitality and color. 'Coral and Desert' combines the two faces of this region thanks to the contributions of two specialists, the writer Gianni Guadalupi dealing with the historical section and the underwater photographer Giorgio Mesturini providing pictorial material and the text; two excellent guides on this exploration of a part of humanity's priceless heritage.