Rivers Run Through Us: A Natural and Human History of Great Rivers of North America

by Eric B. Taylor, Mark Angelo (Foreword)

An engaging, informative, and personal exploration of some of the great rivers of North America. The physical nature of rivers has influenced the course of human history and development, whether it be in the prosecution of major conflicts (US Civil War), patterns of development and social change (dams on the Columbia River), the economy (gold rushes, agricultural development), or international relations (US and Mexico and the Colorado River). The centrality of human–river interactions has had great impacts on the biodiversity of rivers (salmon and other threatened species) that have been the focus of historical and current intense conflicts of values (e.g., water in the Sacramento–San Joaquin system and California “water wars” in general). Of the thousands of rivers in North America, 10 are profiled in Rivers Run Through Us : In this engaging new work, Eric Taylor takes readers on a grand tour of 10 of North America’s more important river systems, exploring one fundamental issue for each that illustrates the critical role each particular stream has had — and will have — in the human development of North America.

Genres: History, Environment, Nonfiction, Nature

464 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2021

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. From the Mighty Mackenzie to the Rio Grande, this book opened my eyes to the fact that rivers are not just water; they are essential to our human societies, environment, and even our politics and culture. They record our histories, and we depend on them for much more than most of us realize. Even for rivers I have lived near and thought I knew quite well, Taylor's inspired and witty prose and deep research have inspired me to see the Columbia with new eyes. This book delivered everything I want from a non-fiction book: knowledge, perspective, joy, and ideas new to me. Most of all, love of the subject: rivers.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars