Thom reviewed The source by Martin Doyle
Review of 'The source' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This is an excellent history of the American connection to rivers, from laws and policies to reshaping and later reclaiming through conservation. Much like [b:The Death and Life of the Great Lakes|35187180|The Death and Life of the Great Lakes|Dan Egan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523542441l/35187180.SY75.jpg|50692507], this is very readable and interesting, though it could use a few more pictures and maps.
The book is broken into sections, each with a strong focus on one aspect of inland waters. Some of the most interesting parts for me were the differences in laws between the riparian east and the more public land focused west. I also had no idea the flood control districts were that important. Also quite interesting were settling the various claims on water, from eldest to use-it-or-lose-it, and how the Colorado river was eventually settled between many states. In the last section of the book, the conservation and restoration sections were very …
This is an excellent history of the American connection to rivers, from laws and policies to reshaping and later reclaiming through conservation. Much like [b:The Death and Life of the Great Lakes|35187180|The Death and Life of the Great Lakes|Dan Egan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523542441l/35187180.SY75.jpg|50692507], this is very readable and interesting, though it could use a few more pictures and maps.
The book is broken into sections, each with a strong focus on one aspect of inland waters. Some of the most interesting parts for me were the differences in laws between the riparian east and the more public land focused west. I also had no idea the flood control districts were that important. Also quite interesting were settling the various claims on water, from eldest to use-it-or-lose-it, and how the Colorado river was eventually settled between many states. In the last section of the book, the conservation and restoration sections were very interesting, if a bit too short. Extensive notes refer to articles an occasionally books, and an index completes the work.
Policies and laws are the strongest focus, and entirely within the lower 48 - Alaska and Hawaii are not mentioned. Natural lakes are also covered only in passing. This book is focused on rivers, but is mostly a people story. Recommended, but left me wanting a little more.