Rivers of Power

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From a renowned geographer and professor, this sweeping natural history explores the intricate and ancient relationship between rivers and human civilization. Rivers have profoundly influenced the course of civilization, opening frontiers, founding cities, settling borders, and sustaining billions. They promote life, forge peace, wield power, and can capriciously destroy. Despite increasing domestication, rivers remain a vital global force, crucial for our future. The author delves into the often underappreciated ways rivers shape our lives. Beyond their obvious roles in water supply, sanitation, and transport, rivers support the global food trade and are essential for electricity generation—not only through hydropower but also for coal, nuclear, and natural gas plants. Major cities are typically located along rivers or deltas, while national territories and cultural ties often trace back to these waterways and the topographic divides they create. This beautifully told narrative reveals how rivers have shaped civilization and underscores their significance as a vast, arterial power for our past, present, and future.