Millions of people worldwide share a great fascination with waterfalls. In this first and only book about Jamaican waterfalls, Dr Brian J. Hudson looks at the unique appeal of waterfalls, their portrayal in words and image, their roles in recreation and tourism, and their use as sources of mechanical and electrical energy. Although this book refers to all well known falls of the island and to many of those known only to a few, it is not a descriptive guide. Rather, it examines the aesthetics of Jamaican waterfalls and the problems of competing uses and excessive exploitation in the context of the wider issues of environmental conservation and sustainable development. In addition to thirty years of observation in the field, Dr Hudson draws on extensive secondary research, including literature from the mid-eighteenth century to date, topographical writings, prints, photographs, films, guidebooks, tourist brochures, and official reports. In both content and style, this book appeals to a wide readership of geographers, tourism planners, environmentalists, Jamaican residents and visitors, and anyone with a special interest in Jamaica.