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prcizmadia's review against another edition
4.0
This book actually took me a few years to read. I gave it a go multiple times but repeatedly stalled out. Childs' writing is as beautiful and absorbing as ever, I just really needed to have some degree of desert familiarity to really feel what he was saying on a personal level. I have that now.
I love the way this book is structured and executed, exploring water from the tiniest trace elements that exist in the harsh desert climate, to the supernatural destructive power of angry gods raging through pliant canyons. I have so much more to consider on a spiritual sense here. I had always figured myself obsessed with the rocks and structure of canyon country, not considering the influence of water-- how every structure, flow and organism of the desert is there because of water and reacting to it's presence or absence. Maybe that's what I'm really obsessed with the reliant towards. Praying to a false god this whole time.
I love the way this book is structured and executed, exploring water from the tiniest trace elements that exist in the harsh desert climate, to the supernatural destructive power of angry gods raging through pliant canyons. I have so much more to consider on a spiritual sense here. I had always figured myself obsessed with the rocks and structure of canyon country, not considering the influence of water-- how every structure, flow and organism of the desert is there because of water and reacting to it's presence or absence. Maybe that's what I'm really obsessed with the reliant towards. Praying to a false god this whole time.
bekahbeth's review against another edition
5.0
A read so delicious and ecstatic, I had to take my time and savor every word. Definitely my favorite non-fiction read of 2020 (regardless of the fact that I didn't finish until 2021), this book carried me through some very tough times with the sheer force of its overwhelming beauty. My hat is off and my bow deep to Craig Childs with admiration for this incredible reflection of the desert and its water. I only wish I could write a more appropriate tribute, but I'm left feeling almost speechless. Perhaps the water is doing all the speaking for me.
kittkattsnacck's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This is an incredible look at some of the most mysterious places on Earth. I love the combination of narrative elements and the scientific facts. The dichotomy between the unemotional description of natural history and the almost spiritual experience and mystical elements of water.
I did find some of the descriptions dull, specifically because I do not already know what the flora looks like and the book does not spend much time on the look of them. Rather simply naming a few plants in quick succession to describe the landscape.
I did find some of the descriptions dull, specifically because I do not already know what the flora looks like and the book does not spend much time on the look of them. Rather simply naming a few plants in quick succession to describe the landscape.
anlekaha's review against another edition
4.0
I had to put this down for a few weeks. It has a very meditative feel but too many similar chapters in the middle were making me impatient. After giving it a break I was able to come back and appreciate it again.
The author discusses some scientific phenomenon between his musings and those discussions were easily my favorite part. The insects and fish that make their homes in desert water have such fascinating adaptions, things I had never known about before. I was bewitched at the streams that only run at night because the trees stop pulling water for photosynthesis when the sun goes down. And, after having spent a year crunching numbers in fluids class, I also loved the discussion of turbulent and laminar flows in floods. My biggest complaint about these discussions was that there were no footnotes or endnotes, just a very extensive bibliography to hunt through to look for sources for more information.
The author describes the visceral aspects of his journeys but so much of it was outside my realm of experience that I was left wanting. I want to see the beautiful sights, feel the rocks and water, and listen to the silence and speaking water described. But all the death and disaster described checks my enthusiasm for taking such a trip. Even with all his experience, the author gets into some very tight spots. I'll have to find a way to visit with some measure of safety and responsibility.
The author discusses some scientific phenomenon between his musings and those discussions were easily my favorite part. The insects and fish that make their homes in desert water have such fascinating adaptions, things I had never known about before. I was bewitched at the streams that only run at night because the trees stop pulling water for photosynthesis when the sun goes down. And, after having spent a year crunching numbers in fluids class, I also loved the discussion of turbulent and laminar flows in floods. My biggest complaint about these discussions was that there were no footnotes or endnotes, just a very extensive bibliography to hunt through to look for sources for more information.
The author describes the visceral aspects of his journeys but so much of it was outside my realm of experience that I was left wanting. I want to see the beautiful sights, feel the rocks and water, and listen to the silence and speaking water described. But all the death and disaster described checks my enthusiasm for taking such a trip. Even with all his experience, the author gets into some very tight spots. I'll have to find a way to visit with some measure of safety and responsibility.
lieva's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in the middle of the pacific ocean, and it forever changed how I think about water.
bonriki's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an incredible mix of spirituality and science. Childs holds desert water with a near religious reverence. It really opened my eyes as to the importance of small details in a desert.
karingforbooks's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
He focuses a lot of the more spiritual aspect of water in the desert and I didn’t need all of that. References or cultural stories are great, which he also includes, but didn’t need all his personal spiritual stories. The sheer amount of water is astounding and I liked how he explained the science throughout the book. He did a good job if explaining science and culture and history, showing the connection between them.
evofeevo's review
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
5.0
This is my first time reading anything by Craig Childs and I am so pleasantly surprised! It reads incredibly fast for a nonfiction and the language used to describe this beautifully harsh environment hits spot on. You can really feel the connection the whole way through. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge that the author has towards the working of desert and water together. It’s a beautiful and informative book that I highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about this extraordinary part of of our planet.
kerrianne's review
5.0
I can't remember the last book I finished the same day I started it, but that's exactly what I did with this book. I read it within earshot of a rushing river on the warmest day of March, the end of winter still slowly stretching its way toward spring. It's a beautiful book full of beautiful truths.
[Five stars for the power of water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink...unless you know where to find it.]
[Five stars for the power of water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink...unless you know where to find it.]
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