"New floristic monograph, 15 years in the making, which covers the histories of discovery and classification, phytogeography and conservation, as well as providing comprehensive aids to identification with keys to and coloured illustrations of all named and accepted taxa. A lavish addition is the section of 51 full colour distribution maps. This is the first comprehensive account of the family in the region since 1890 - and is set to become the standard work on Brazilian cacti for many years to come." --NHBS Environment Bookstore.