REVIEWS+

The Ripple Effect

The Fate of Freshwater in the Twenty-First Century
by Alex Prud'homme
The Ripple Effect: The Fate of Freshwater in the Twenty-First Century. Scribner. Jun. 2011. c.448p. index. ISBN 9781416535454. $27. SCI
COPY ISBN
What does water mean to individuals, to daily life, to a society? We frequently take its availability for granted. This complacency is what provoked Prud'homme (The Cell Game) to write this book. With his acute journalist's instincts, he investigates numerous issues surrounding water, including its quality, availability, ownership, and infrastructure in both the United States and the rest of the world. In this high-stakes story, bolstered by extensive research and in-depth interviews with experts, Prud'homme guides readers on an "intellectual adventure" to better understand why water is "the most valuable resource on earth," and, more important, he demonstrates why water is "the resource that will define this century."
VERDICT Highly recommended for readers of nature and political science books.
Reviewed by Norah Xiao, Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles , Jun 15, 2011
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?