The Secret Knowledge of Water is a travelogue by Craig Childs that explores the many ways water shapes our world. From floods to drought, from celestial oceans to underground aquifers, Childs examines how humans have responded to and relied on this precious resource throughout history. Along the way, he provides anecdotes about his own adventures in desert landscapes around the globe.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone who is interested in travel and history, as it explores how both have been shaped by water. Childs provides anecdotes about his own adventures, making the book accessible to a wide audience.
Pros :
- The author’s personal anecdotes and stories make the book more interesting to read.
- The exploration of different aspects water (e.g., floods, drought, etc.) is very informative.
- The writing style is easy to read and flow
Cons :
- The book is dry (pun intended), with little action or excitement.
- It can be repetitive, as Childs often goes into detail about the same topic more than once.
- The structure of the book is not especially linear, which can make it difficult to follow at times.
Learn more about the author
Craig Childs is an award-winning author and journalist whose work has appeared in magazines such as “Outside”, “National Geographic Adventure”, and the “New York Times Magazine”. He is the recipient of a Whiting Writers Award, Guggenheim Fellowship, National Outdoor Book Award, Wallace Stegner Fellowship, Grand Prize for Nature Writing from France’s Prix Littéraire Passion Palouse, and the John Burroughs Medal.
Reader Reviews
“The writing is lyrical and the content spellbinding.”
“This book is a refreshing, informative non-fiction read that can potentially open up people’s eyes to the vast importance of water. Craig Childs masterfully tells stories and provides facts about this natural resource in an interesting way that kept me captivated from beginning to end.”
“As a lover of water, this book spoke to every fiber of my being. Childs weaves history, science and his own personal experiences into an eloquent ode to our most precious resource.”
“This is a beautifully written and engaging book about the ways that water shapes our world. Childs takes us on an exploration of floods, drought, oceans and aquifers, and how humans have responded to and relied on this precious resource throughout history. This is more than just a travelogue – it’s also a fascinating look at human culture and ecology.”
