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Rivers of Power

How a Natural Force Raised Kingdoms, Destroyed Civilizations, and Shapes Our World
Oct 22, 2020PimaLib_NormS rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Who would even consider it possible to write a history of the world’s rivers? Laurence C Smith, that’s who. He is the John Atwater and Diana Nelson University Professor of Environmental Studies and Professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Brown University. Well, okay. A conglomeration of words such as that next to your name would entitle you to dine at the smart person’s table, for sure. He is an author, too (of course), and he has written “Rivers of Power: How a Natural Force Raised Kingdoms, Destroyed Civilizations, and Shapes Our World”. Professor Smith traveled all over the world, researching the history of major rivers and the important role they have played in the lives of humans, since, ah . . . forever. And yet, it seems as though rivers are the most unappreciated of all the magnificent natural wonders. Almost 98% of water on this planet is saltwater, so the life-giving freshwater of rivers is critical to the survival of all living things. Which makes rivers pretty darn important. Throughout history, how have humans cared for this most valuable of resources? We have dammed, drained, and diverted them. We have dumped our sewage and industrial waste in them. It would be silly not to use rivers for the betterment of us all. But, we should be treating these resources as precious. Because they are. “Rivers of Power” informs us about the history of rivers. However, it also speaks to the future. There is no doubt that healthy, vibrant rivers are in humankind’s best interest, now and hereafter.