In the Land of Orpheus: Rural Livelihoods and Nature Conservation in Postsocialist Bulgaria [Hardcover]

In the Land of Orpheusprovides a rich ethnographic description of village life and conservation efforts in an ecologically important region of one of the most biologically diverse countries in Europe. Barbara Cellarius describes natural resource use and economic survival strategies in a rural Rhodope Mountain village and the ways in which the lives of residents of a rural community are affected by outside forces, particularly the economic and political uncertainties that have plagued Bulgaria since the collapse of communism.  She examines larger forces, including environmental nongovernmental organizations, interested in linking global conservation priorities with local communities. This is a highly original work. I know of no other books that attempt this task. The audience should extend beyond anthropologists, to sociologists, political scientists, and even a few economists. —Mieke Meurs, American University The foci of research are very timely as is the area of regional inquiry. —Daniel Bates, professor emeritus of anthropology, Hunter College, C.U.N.Y.Barbara A. Cellarius is a cultural anthropologist and subsistence specialist in the Division of Natural and Cultural Resources, Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, l£}