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"Beautifully written and meticulously researched."—St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This updated study of the economics, politics, and ecology of water covers more than a century of public and private desert reclamation in the American West.
A study of the economics, politics, and ecology of water that covers more than a century of desert reclamation in the American West.
Introduction: A Semidesert with a Desert Heart Chapter One: A Country of Illusion Chapter Two: The Red Queen Chapter Three: First Causes Chapter Four: An American Nile (I)
Chapter Five: The Go-Go Years Chapter Six: Rivals in Crime Chapter Seven: Dominy Chapter Eight: An American Nile (II)
Chapter Nine: The Peanut Farmer and the Pork Barrel Chapter Ten: Chinatown Chapter Eleven: Those Who Refuse to Learn...
Chapter Twelve: Things Fall Apart Epilogue: A Civilization, If You Can Keep It Afterword to the Revised Edition Acknowledgments Notes and Bibliography Index
GustieReader
Posted May 15, 2009
A humorous narrative exposing the haphazard development of the American West, Cadillac Desert leaves no river undammed. From the journeys of early explorers to the government policies of yesteryear, Marc Reisner cunningly avoids producing another academic source denouncing water consumption throughout the world. Easy to read and simple to follow, the personalities of various characters throughout the region's history bring the story of deteriorating water resources alive. By describing the ascendancy of the American West despite constant conflict over fading water supplies, Reisner casts doubt upon the sustainability of current water demands. Through a wealth of information and knowledge, Reisner's Cadillac Desert demonstrates the diverse perceptions people hold and have held about water resources in the American West. Overall, Reisner's comical nature and ability to create compelling perspectives lightens the mood of this already depressing topic of dwindling, scarce resources. Both thought provoking and eye opening, Cadillac Desert is a must read for any environmentally cognizant citizen of the twenty first century.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 17, 2000
This book is beyond outsanding. Richly anotated with references. Filled with historical figures and what they did, and didn't do, with regards to water development. A great segment has Jimmy Carter enjoying life in a canoe going down the rapids of a river. A must reading for those interested in dams, rivers, and salmon.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.M_Newton_Davis
Posted December 11, 2012
I recomend this book if you are interested in the water struggle that goes on here in Los Angeles from its beginnings in the last century. Also if you are just interested in the history of the Eastern Sierra area.
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Posted January 19, 2012
Z
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tlbWY
Posted September 9, 2011
I bought the book as a required textbook for a class, but I read it cover to cover because it is the best account of the history of water in the west that I have ever read. It is the first book that made me put away my Kindle since I have owned my Kindle!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RLoughran
Posted July 2, 2009
I Also Recommend:
The scope of research involved in "Cadillac Desert" is breathtaking. Highly readable, informative, scary. Shows government doing what government does best: serving itself with little or no regard for people.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 20, 2000
A highly readable factual history about the real California and what has been done with it. In depth and full of real life characters, this book should be assigned reading to all US history students to learn the start of federal corporate subsidy. While not as grand in scope as 'The Prize' or in depth as 'The Reckoning', 'Cadilac Desert' deserves its place among Pulitzer Prize winners.
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Posted November 26, 2000
'A Country of Illusion', the second chapter that recounts the history of Western American settlement, should be required reading of every high school student in America. This book is humorous, compelling and critical of us all for our past and present greed and thoughtlessness
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2008
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Posted September 10, 2011
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Posted March 5, 2011
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Posted January 30, 2011
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Posted March 26, 2011
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Posted April 3, 2011
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Posted July 15, 2009
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Overview
"Beautifully written and meticulously researched."—St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This updated study of the economics, politics, and ecology of water covers more than a century of public and private desert reclamation in the American West.
A study of the economics, politics, and ecology of water that covers more than a century of desert reclamation in the American West.