Artist Leslie Clark’s deep knowledge and love for the people of Niger is reflected in her recently closed Ojai-based Nomad Gallery, selling their sophisticated and elegant jewelry and craftwares. But that is only a small part of her mission, she uses her contacts and connections among the Woodaybe and Tuareg to establish medical training, clinics and entrepreneurial programs for these proud and ancient people.

In her memoir, "Desert Tracks," Clark describes her times among these people, whose lifeways have hardly changed in thousands of years, their fierce independence and artistic talents, their livestock-centric lifestyles following the rains from pastures to pastures in ancient rhythms. She also describes their struggles against governments seeking to restrain their nomadic lifestyles, their particular customs and traditions and the threats facing them from global warming and modernity. We also meet a cast of colorful characters, including Emmy-nominated Taureg guitarists, rebel leaders and polygamist herders.

Clark also talks about her family's five generations in Ojai, starting from an Irish immigrant in the 1850s, through her grandfather, a legendary cowboy and Sheriff of Ventura County and how much the cowboy and nomadic cultures overlap in their appeal. We did not talk about the Sahara's once-flourishing wetlands, pig eradication on the Channel Islands or Boris Johnson's fall from grace.