Bibliograph

Rivers of power, how a natural force raised kingdoms, destroyed civilizations, and shapes our world, Laurence C. Smith

Type

Label

Rivers of power, how a natural force raised kingdoms, destroyed civilizations, and shapes our world, Laurence C. Smith

Language

eng

resource.accompanyingMatter

technical information on music

Form of composition

not applicable

Format of music

not applicable

Literary text for sound recordings

other

Main title

Rivers of power

Medium

electronic resource

Responsibility statement

Laurence C. Smith

Sub title

how a natural force raised kingdoms, destroyed civilizations, and shapes our world

Summary

A sweeping natural history of the world's rivers and their ancient, complex relationship with human civilization Rivers, more than any road, technology, or political leader, have shaped the course of human civilization. They have opened frontiers, founded cities, settled borders, and fed billions. They promote life, forge peace, grant power, and can capriciously destroy everything in their path. Even today, rivers remain a powerful global force - one that is more critical than ever to our future. In Rivers of Power, geographer Laurence C. Smith explores the timeless yet underappreciated relationship between rivers and civilization as we know it. Rivers are of course important in many practical ways (water supply, transportation, sanitation). But the full breadth of their influence on the way we live is less obvious. Rivers define and transcend international borders, forcing cooperation between nations. Huge volumes of river water are used to produce energy, raw commodities, and food. Wars, politics, and demography are transformed by their devastating floods. The territorial claims of nations, their cultural and economic ties to one another, and the migrations and histories of their peoples trace back to rivers, river valleys, and the topographic divides they carve upon the world. And as climate change, technology, and cities transform our relationship with nature, new opportunities are arising to protect the waters that sustain us. Beautifully told and expansive in scope, Rivers of Power reveals how and why rivers have so profoundly influenced our civilization and examines the importance this vast arterial power holds for the future of humanity

Target audience

adult

Transposition and arrangement

not applicable

Contributor

Creator