A Thirsty Land: The Fight for Water in Texas

by Seamus McGraw

As a changing climate threatens the whole country with deeper droughts and more furious floods that put ever more people and property at risk, Texas has become a bellwether state for water debates. Will there be enough water for everyone? Is there the will to take the steps necessary to defend ourselves against the sea? Is it in the nature of Americans to adapt to nature in flux? The most comprehensive—and comprehensible—book on contemporary water issues, A Thirsty Land delves deep into the challenges faced not just by Texas but by the nation as a whole, as we struggle to find a way to balance the changing forces of nature with our own ever-expanding needs. Part history, part science, part adventure story, and part travelogue, this book puts a human face on the struggle to master that most precious and capricious of resources, water. Seamus McGraw goes to the taproots, talking to farmers, ranchers, businesspeople, and citizen activists, as well as to politicians and government employees. Their stories provide chilling evidence that Texas—and indeed the nation—is not ready for the next devastating drought, the next catastrophic flood. Ultimately, however, A Thirsty Land delivers hope. This deep dive into one of the most vexing challenges facing Texas and the nation offers glimpses of the way forward in the untapped opportunities that water also presents.

Genres: Nature

296 pages, Paperback

Published August 11, 2020

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thirsty Land was a pick for my Texas Master Naturalist book club this year. Water? I thought. Water does not sound interesting.

Wrong. So wrong. Seamus McGraw has carefully researched the problems of water (and the lack thereof) in Texas and he has found a way to share information about the problems that makes for a fascinating read.