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| The Secret Knowledge of Water : Discovering the Essence of the American Desert | 
| Author: Craig Childs
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Category: Book
List Price: $14.99
Buy New: $7.45
You Save: $7.54 (50%)
New (27) from $7.45
Avg. Customer Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 32557
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st Back Bay Pbk. Ed
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 0316610690
Dewey Decimal Number: 553.70979
EAN: 9780316610698
ASIN: 0316610690
Publication Date: May 1, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Back Bay Books trade pbck in glossy illstd covers. New copy from distributor backstock
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 26 | | NEXT » |
 poorly written, at least at the beginning March 3, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I perhaps shouldn't be writing a review for a book of which I read only 15 pages, but I don't think the sample of reviews should be skewed toward people who could stomach more of the writing than I could, either. The book put me in mind of George Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language", which isn't exactly on point, but is fundamentally about writers whose writing gets in the way of communication and even thought. There seem to be some interesting stories in this book hidden behind what veers from prose to the edge of bad poetry; it didn't seem to me to be worth it.
Your mileage may vary; if it's convenient to look at a sample of the writing, perhaps you will like the style better than I did. I would warn you about thinking you're buying something readable, though, just because the topic interests you.
 Water Pockets March 3, 2008
This is a great book for those that love the desert. The descriptive narrative is beautiful. The abundance of the waters in stark rock desert is amazing. Ancient trails to water, pockets in the sandstone, Native American religeons tied to the seeming magic appearance of waters coming from the earth. All tied together with descriptive prose that lets you feel the cool water after scorched days of walking. There is just enough scientific fact blended in that you will find yourself learning a little something as well. I also recommend the authors book "The Animal Dialogues".
Interesting book February 28, 2008
This was a very interesting book about water in the desert. We read it for book club and it made for a very interesting discussion.
Disappointed January 27, 2008
I was excited to read this book based on the reviews. I was expecting a hiking adventure and narrative about people affected by water. What I read was confused and disconnected. It was the two styles I mentioned plus detailed scientific analysis of flowers and geology. Most of it was in the Grand Canyon area but it also dealt with parts of New Mexico and southern Arizona. I would not recommend this book.
Simply, the best January 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an incredibly good book - extremely well written, very powerful,reminiscent of Edward Abbey, and, I must admit, better than my own desert travel journal, Desert Dancing: Exploring the Land, the People, the Legends of the California Deserts (Hunter Travel Guides). I'm jealous but respectful. Mr. Childs earned his knowledge the best way, by being there, and he takes us along on these wonderful excursions, doing things I never would, going places I never could. With such excellent and powerful writing I am there with him, wading the streams, following the floods, climbing the rocks and dodging the snakes.
This one is a keeper - right there on the shelf with my Edward Abby books.
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Wildlife, nature and the Environment
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