A lyrical account of Lindqvist's travels through the Sahara, taking as its theme the stereotypes and racial prejudices of Andre Gide, Antoine de St. Exubery and other literary idols who found inspiration in the desert. Lindqvist, a scholar who has written widely on racism, is fascinated by the men who clean the wells in the Sahara, hence the odd title.  (NAF12, $12.95)