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Steven Solomon
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Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization Kindle Edition

by Steven Solomon (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 188 ratings
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“I read this wide-ranging and thoughtful book while sitting on the banks of the Ganges near Varanasi—it's a river already badly polluted, and now threatened by the melting of the loss of the glaciers at its source to global warming. Four hundred million people depend on it, and there's no backup plan. As Steven Solomon makes clear, the same is true the world over; this volume will give you the background to understand the forces that will drive much of 21st century history.” —Bill McKibben

In Water, esteemed journalist Steven Solomon describes a terrifying—and all too real—world in which access to fresh water has replaced oil as the primary cause of global conflicts that increasingly emanate from drought-ridden, overpopulated areas of the world. Meticulously researched and undeniably prescient, Water is a stunningly clear-eyed action statement on what Robert F Kennedy, Jr. calls “the biggest environmental and political challenge of our time.”

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  1. Print length
    628 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperCollins e-books
  4. Publication date
    December 16, 2009
  5. File size
    5.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This sprawling text reconstructs the history of civilization in order to illuminate the importance of water in human development from the first civilizations of the Fertile Crescent and the Indus River Valley to the present. Solomon (The Confidence Game) advances a persuasive argument: the prosperity of nations and empires has depended on their access to water and their ability to harness water resources. The story he tells is familiar, but his emphasis on water is unique: he shows how the Nile's flood patterns determined political unity and dynastic collapses in Egypt. He suggests that the construction of China's Grand Canal made possible a sixth-century reunification that eluded the Roman Empire. Finally, he attributes America's rise to superpower status to such 20th-century water innovations as the Panama Canal and Hoover Dam. Solomon surveys the current state of the world's water resources by region, making a compelling case that the U.S. and other leading democracies have untapped strategic advantages that will only become more significant as water becomes scarcer. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Solomon’s unprecedented, all-encompassing, and resounding inquiry into the science and politics of water is predicated on two incontrovertible yet disregarded facts: water is essential to life and civilization. After elucidating water’s defining role in the planet’s climate and quantifying the earth’s limited supply of freshwater, Solomon describes in vivid detail the water technologies of the ancient river societies of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Assyria. On to Rome and its world-altering aqueducts and advanced sanitation, a crucial subject covered in depth when Solomon turns to nineteenth-century London, after telling the fascinating story of China’s bold and transforming waterworks. By the time Solomon reaches America and its water-powered industrialization, it becomes clear that the technological marvels of one era deliver the environmental challenges of the next. The triumphs of water harnessed, therefore, give way to accounts of water polluted and squandered. Solomon shares sobering revelations about the harsh disparities between the lives of those who have water and those who don’t, reports on the cruel consequences of today’s water scarcities, and assesses the potential for a nightmarish impending freshwater famine. Seeking to inspire us to place a higher value on water and establish wiser approaches to its use, Solomon has created a brilliantly discursive and compelling epic of humankind and earth’s most vital and precious resource. --Donna Seaman

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003100UR4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; Illustrated edition (December 16, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 16, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 628 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0060548304
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 188 ratings

About the author

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Steven Solomon

Steven Solomon

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Steven Solomon is a journalist who has written for The New York Times, Business Week, The Economist, Forbes, and Esquire, and has commented on NPR's Marketplace. He is also the author of The Confidence Game. Solomon lives in Washington, D.C.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
188 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and educational about water use history, current status, and future. They appreciate the research and exposition on how water has influenced society. However, some readers found the beginning slow to read.

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Information qualityWater useReadability
28 customers mention "Information quality"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and educational about water's influence on history and society. They appreciate the well-researched content and its interesting perspective on world history from a different angle.

"...And, it was quite fascinating to understand how a countries water resources will determine their destiny into the future...." Read more

"...In my own case, I found the sections on the politics of water most fascinating and informative of all." Read more

"...a long book, but it captures the reader's attention as the history is so interesting...." Read more

"This is one of the most exceptional and insightful books that I have read in years...." Read more

5 customers mention "Water use"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's discussion of water use. They find it insightful and consider the impact and current state of water use in the world.

"...of water on the rise and fall of civilizations and the crtical juncture with water use the United States is at in it's long term world leadership..." Read more

"This is an interesting history book, as water affects everything...." Read more

"Very good information on the history current status and future of water use in the world" Read more

"very educational review of the history of man, and the powerful influence of water." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book slow to read at times.

"...I found it a little slow at the beginning (not so interested in history that far back I guess), but thoroughly enjoyed most of it...." Read more

"...It has been very, very slow reading for me...." Read more

"Great book, and very important to our future. It's not the fastest read, but it is very thorough and covers ancient history until current day." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • GOCALL
    5.0 out of 5 stars HISTORY OF THE WORLD
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book could simply be titled "(Water) History of the World". I found it a little slow at the beginning (not so interested in history that far back I guess), but thoroughly enjoyed most of it. One reviewer said it was not depressing, I not so sure. We in the water-rich areas of the world need to be reminded of how many live in water-poor (and therefore often hungry and war torn) areas and how these areas are increasing in population and desperation. Although the book touts that water is the new oil, it perhaps doesn't stress enough the issue of population growth with respect to water availability. We have become more efficient at corralling water and can become more efficient still, but there WILL come a time when it is not enough. As the population continues to explode, something is going to have to give. We can try to reduce our population and live within our means or nature will take care of it for us. As others have said it should be required reading. In the end we are all in this together.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Sailing Queen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Water -- Truly, we can't live without
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is an incredibly insightful book. Never realized the impact and power of fresh water resources had on civilization. And, it was quite fascinating to understand how a countries water resources will determine their destiny into the future. Certainly our country learned from Flint Michigan what a terrible impact contaminated water has on a community.
    My only issue with this book is the flow and structure. Much information was repeated....chapter after chapter. It seemed that the author almost "oversold" his story.
    Only time will tell how well our planet manages its water resources -- maybe new technology in desalination will allow us to obtain all the water we need and reduce the level of the ocean.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Phil Geusz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Water, Water Everywhere, And It Made Me Think
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I gave considerably less than the current price for this work, and will _never_ pay more than $9.99 for a small electronic file that incurs virtually no printing, shipping or inventory costs on its publishers. That said...

    This was an excellent and entertainingly-written book about an increasingly crucial subject. As the author points out, water is heavy, difficult to purify and transport, and yet amazingly crucial to the everyday activities of everyone everywhere. Therefore a society's sophistication in dealing with water is indeed a fair measure of its overall capabilities and priorities. While in my opinion the author stretches this point a little here and there, it's for the most part a valid one. In my own case, I found the sections on the politics of water most fascinating and informative of all.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • M. Love
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an informative look at history of the role of water.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A very well-written history of how water had a major role in building past civilizations. This is a long book, but it captures the reader's attention as the history is so interesting. Not having finished the book, I can't give a complete review, however, I am positive this book will keep my attention. I can recommend this book to anyone who has a strong concern for the future supply of water. This is an important subject.
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  • Mikehill33
    3.0 out of 5 stars Meh got boring and long winded way too quickly
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2022
    This book lost me early with too much deep, too far back, not appealing.
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  • John N. Doggett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, Exceptional Insights about Humans and Water.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of the most exceptional and insightful books that I have read in years. Steven ties the development of water resources to the development of civilization. Time and time again I found myself sitting back in awe at the insights that he shared with me.

    I don't know the author and am not his agent. But I have simple advice for you.

    Buy this book. Read this book. And give thanks that such a stunning book was published.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Carol Woodbury
    4.0 out of 5 stars Water is the issue
    Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Steven Solomon has great insight. He is a scholar of the subject of fresh water scarcity.
    This is going to be a growing issue as time goes on. US has 8% of the world's fresh water and 6% of its population.
    We have our water stresses in this country but nothing to equal what is going on in other parts of the world.
    Everyone needs to wake up and listen!
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  • Dick. Franklin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Water is not a commodity . It is essential for life
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent read. It provides a very comprehensive history on Mankind's interaction with our planet's essential life sustaining resource and the dark side if we fail to change our ways in terms of wastefulness and a lack of population management. I am using this book as the foundation of a course I am generating on the planet's essential resources.
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