Rivers of Power: How a Natural Force Raised Kingdoms, Destroyed Civilizations, and Shapes Our World - Softcover

Smith, Laurence C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141987235 ISBN 13: 9780141987231

Verlag: Penguin, 2021

Inhaltsangabe

'As fascinating as it is beautifully written' JARED DIAMOND, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Guns, Germs and Steel

Rivers, more than any road, technology or political event, have shaped the course of civilization.

Rivers have opened frontiers, defined borders, supported trade, generated energy and fed billions. Most of our greatest cities stand on river banks or deltas, and our quest for mastery has spurred staggering advances in engineering, science and law. Rivers and their topographic divides have shaped the territories of nations and the migration of peoples, and yet - as their resources become ever more precious - can foster cooperation even among enemy states. And though they become increasingly domesticated, they remain a formidable global force: these vast arterial powers promote life but are capable of destroying everything in their path.

From ancient Egypt to our growing contemporary metropolises, Rivers of Power reveals why rivers matter so profoundly to human civilization, and how they continue to be indispensable to our societies and wellbeing.

'Takes readers on a tour of the world's great rivers - past, present and future. The result is fascinating, eye-opening, sometimes alarming, and ultimately inspiring' Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction

'A tour de force ... From Herodotus musing on the Nile to the dam makers of modern China, this is their story' Fred Pearce, author of When the Rivers Run Dry

'Instructive and entertaining' The Times

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Laurence C. Smith is the John Atwater and Diana Nelson University Professor of Environmental Studies and Professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Brown University. Previously, he was Professor and Chair of Geography at UCLA. His work has been featured in Science, Nature, Financial Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Economist, Washington Post, Discover and on the BBC. His book The World in 2050 won the Walter P. Kistler Book Award. He has worked with the National Science Foundation, NASA, United Nations and World Economic Forum.

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Penguin
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2021
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0141987235
• ISBN 13: 9780141987231
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 368
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: SC; https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/; ; CL MODESTO LAFUENTE 41; Madrid; Madrid; Spanien