Rivers of the World: A Social, Geographical, and Environmental Sourcebook (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781576070420)

Rivers of the World, vividly written and meticulously researched, is a rich and thorough treatment of some 200 of the world's rivers.

In this comprehensive treatment of the major rivers of the world, author James R. Penn's purpose is not just to feature geographic data, but to tell a story of historical drama, poetic significance, and cultural relationships. The book shows glimpses of Chairman Mao boosting his image by swimming in the Yangtze; Indian middlemen residing on both sides of the Columbia River exacting tolls from travelers like Lewis and Clark; and, near the Dordogne in southwest France, Paleolithic cave art, paintings, and designs in rock shelters and subterranean caverns, which are textbook examples of early human creativity and artistic impulse.

In nearly 200 entries ranging from a few paragraphs to several pages, Rivers of the World covers all of the great rivers of the world including the Nile, Niger, Amazon, and Mississippi, as well as smaller waterways that illustrate important themes or represent trends. The book includes bibliographies for each river.

Author: James Penn
ISBN-10: 1576070425
ISBN-13: 9781576070420
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Language: English
Published: 12/12/2001
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.81lbs
Size: 10.28h x 7.30w x 1.06d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 03/15/2002 pg. 74
Booklist 05/15/2002 pg. 1636
Choice 05/01/2002 pg. 1566
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2003 pg. 705