Rivers of powers

Years ago, i read this 80-page New Yorker essay on a relatively unknown river called Atchafalaya. The essay doesn't use any illustrations.

Using just words, in some very finely crafted non-fiction prose, page after page, the author describes the river and it's role in all majesty. That essay sparked a new interest in me. An interest in rivers.

So ever since, i read a few books on individual rivers including a couple of favorites on River Ganges.

But this one does a delightful take on rivers. It combines history, geography, environmentalism, urban planning, dams, water conversation etc. And describes them in all glory.

Apparently, about 66% of world population lives 20 kms to a major river! People didn't know basic water cycle till 1670s! Advanced ancient civilizations happened only at few rievrs because of their incredible predicable cycles!

Page after page, i had new things to learn and wonder at. Loved it.