The Water Kingdom: A Secret History of China

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Synopsis
&“A rewarding read&” this political, social and cultural history of water management in China &“puts water beautifully back at the heart of China&’s story&” (Economist). From the Yangtze to the Yellow River, China is traversed by great waterways, which have defined its politics and ways of life for centuries. In The Water Kingdom, renowned writer Philip Ball opens that window to offer an epic and powerful new way of thinking about Chinese civilization. Water, Ball shows, is a key that unlocks much of Chinese culture. In The Water Kingdom, he takes us on a grand journey through China&’s past and present, showing how the complexity and energy of the country and its history repeatedly come back to the challenges, opportunities, and inspiration provided by the waterways. Drawing on stories from travelers and explorers, poets and painters, bureaucrats and activists, Ball explores how the ubiquitous relationship of the Chinese people to water has made it an enduring metaphor for philosophical thought and artistic expression. From the Han emperors to Mao, the ability to manage the waters--to provide irrigation and defend against floods--was a barometer of political legitimacy, often resulting in engineering works on a gigantic scale. It is a struggle that continues today, as the strain of economic growth on water resources may be the greatest threat to China&’s future.The Water Kingdom offers an unusual and fascinating history, uncovering just how much of China&’s art, politics, and outlook have been defined by the links between humanity and nature. &“Ball argues that China&’s future, like the past, can be read in the fate of its water.&” --Guardian
Copyright:
2017

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
Book Size:
320 Pages
ISBN-13:
9780226470924
Related ISBNs:
9780226369204
Publisher:
The University of Chicago Press
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Philip Ball
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
History, Nonfiction, Science, Social Studies, Earth Sciences
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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