'Barbier's book begins by posing the following key query: Why is it that, despite the salience of natural capital for sustainable economic development, increasing reliance on natural resources seems to impact negatively on economic growth and development in today's low-and middle-income nations? … he offers and discusses in considerable detail what he calls the frontier expansion hypothesis, using an interesting theoretical model to demonstrate that 'under certain conditions frontier expansion in a small open economy can be associated with sustained growth' … this is a clearly written and interesting book on a subject of considerable contemporary significance.' Development Policy Review