Author: DK Eyewitness
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd
ISBN: 0241451574
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
Welcome to Spain's cultural epicentre. Whether you want to admire the elegance of the Palacio Real, contemplate the creations of Dali's bizarre genius or enjoy the nightlife in a city that never sleeps, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Madrid has to offer Inspiration awaits around Madrid's every corner: Spain's greatest painters live on in the Golden Triangle of Art, the pavements tell a story of rich literary heritage and revelatory examples of Spanish cuisine are served at gastro markets and showpiece squares. Our recently updated guide brings Madrid to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights and advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighbourhoods. You'll discover: - our pick of the Madrid's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems - the best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay - detailed maps and walks which make navigating the city easy - easy-to-follow itineraries - expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe - colour-coded chapters to every part of Madrid, from West Madrid to East Madrid, beyond the centre to day trips out of the city - our new lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you go Want the best of Madrid in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Madrid.
DK Eyewitness Madrid
Author: DK Eyewitness
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd
ISBN: 0241451574
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
Welcome to Spain's cultural epicentre. Whether you want to admire the elegance of the Palacio Real, contemplate the creations of Dali's bizarre genius or enjoy the nightlife in a city that never sleeps, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Madrid has to offer Inspiration awaits around Madrid's every corner: Spain's greatest painters live on in the Golden Triangle of Art, the pavements tell a story of rich literary heritage and revelatory examples of Spanish cuisine are served at gastro markets and showpiece squares. Our recently updated guide brings Madrid to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights and advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighbourhoods. You'll discover: - our pick of the Madrid's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems - the best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay - detailed maps and walks which make navigating the city easy - easy-to-follow itineraries - expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe - colour-coded chapters to every part of Madrid, from West Madrid to East Madrid, beyond the centre to day trips out of the city - our new lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you go Want the best of Madrid in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Madrid.
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd
ISBN: 0241451574
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
Welcome to Spain's cultural epicentre. Whether you want to admire the elegance of the Palacio Real, contemplate the creations of Dali's bizarre genius or enjoy the nightlife in a city that never sleeps, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Madrid has to offer Inspiration awaits around Madrid's every corner: Spain's greatest painters live on in the Golden Triangle of Art, the pavements tell a story of rich literary heritage and revelatory examples of Spanish cuisine are served at gastro markets and showpiece squares. Our recently updated guide brings Madrid to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights and advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighbourhoods. You'll discover: - our pick of the Madrid's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems - the best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay - detailed maps and walks which make navigating the city easy - easy-to-follow itineraries - expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe - colour-coded chapters to every part of Madrid, from West Madrid to East Madrid, beyond the centre to day trips out of the city - our new lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you go Want the best of Madrid in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Madrid.
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Madrid
Author: DK Eyewitness
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1465492518
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 283
Book Description
A bustling yet intimate city, Madrid exudes a sense of culture and creativity in its world-class art galleries, atmospheric tapas bars, glorious gardens and historic plazas. Your DK Eyewitness Top 10 travel guide ensures you'll find your way around Madrid with absolute ease. Our newly updated Top 10 travel guide breaks down the best of Madrid into helpful lists of ten - from our own selected highlights to the best museums and galleries, places to eat and shops. You'll discover: - Nine easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day-trip, a weekend, or a week - Detailed Top 10 lists of Madrid's must-sees, including detailed breakdowns of the Palacio Real, Museo Nacional del Prado, Plaza Mayor, Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, El Rastro, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Parque del Retiro, Museo Arqueológico Nacional and El Escorial - Madrid's most interesting areas, with the best places for shopping, dining, and sightseeing - Inspiration for different things to enjoy during your trip - including children's activities, things to do for free and unmissable experiences off the beaten path - Streetsmart advice: get ready, get around, and stay safe DK Eyewitness Top 10s have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 2002. Staying for longer and looking for a more comprehensive guide? Try our DK Eyewitness Madrid or DK Eyewitness Spain.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1465492518
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 283
Book Description
A bustling yet intimate city, Madrid exudes a sense of culture and creativity in its world-class art galleries, atmospheric tapas bars, glorious gardens and historic plazas. Your DK Eyewitness Top 10 travel guide ensures you'll find your way around Madrid with absolute ease. Our newly updated Top 10 travel guide breaks down the best of Madrid into helpful lists of ten - from our own selected highlights to the best museums and galleries, places to eat and shops. You'll discover: - Nine easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day-trip, a weekend, or a week - Detailed Top 10 lists of Madrid's must-sees, including detailed breakdowns of the Palacio Real, Museo Nacional del Prado, Plaza Mayor, Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, El Rastro, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Parque del Retiro, Museo Arqueológico Nacional and El Escorial - Madrid's most interesting areas, with the best places for shopping, dining, and sightseeing - Inspiration for different things to enjoy during your trip - including children's activities, things to do for free and unmissable experiences off the beaten path - Streetsmart advice: get ready, get around, and stay safe DK Eyewitness Top 10s have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 2002. Staying for longer and looking for a more comprehensive guide? Try our DK Eyewitness Madrid or DK Eyewitness Spain.
Eyewitness Madrid
Author: DK Eyewitness
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0744070082
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 343
Book Description
With its historic plazas, glorious gardens and regal architecture, Madrid dazzles with opulence. But for all its trappings of royalty, this intimate city is also a creative powerhouse, home to world-class art galleries, bustling markets and musical spectacles. Whether you want to visit royal palaces, indulge at atmospheric tapas bars or dance into the early morning, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Madrid has to offer. Our updated guide brings Madrid to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighbourhoods. We've also worked hard to make sure our information is as up-to-date as possible following the COVID-19 outbreak. DK Eyewitness Madrid is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime. Inside DK Eyewitness Madrid you will find: - A fully-illustrated top experiences guide: our expert pick Madrid's must-sees and hidden gems - Accessible itineraries to make the most out of each and every day - Expert advice: honest recommendations for getting around safely, when to visit each sight, what to do before you visit, and how to save time and money - Colour-coded chapters to every part of Madrid, from central neighbourhoods to areas beyond the capital - Practical tips: the best places to eat, drink, shop and stay - Detailed maps and walks to help you navigate the state easily and confidently - Covers: West Madrid, East Madrid, Malasana, Chueca and Salamanca, Beyond The Centre, Day Trips from Madrid Planning on touring the country? Don't forget to check out DK Eyewitness Spain. Or if you want the best of Madrid in your pocket, try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Madrid. About DK Eyewitness: At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0744070082
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 343
Book Description
With its historic plazas, glorious gardens and regal architecture, Madrid dazzles with opulence. But for all its trappings of royalty, this intimate city is also a creative powerhouse, home to world-class art galleries, bustling markets and musical spectacles. Whether you want to visit royal palaces, indulge at atmospheric tapas bars or dance into the early morning, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Madrid has to offer. Our updated guide brings Madrid to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighbourhoods. We've also worked hard to make sure our information is as up-to-date as possible following the COVID-19 outbreak. DK Eyewitness Madrid is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime. Inside DK Eyewitness Madrid you will find: - A fully-illustrated top experiences guide: our expert pick Madrid's must-sees and hidden gems - Accessible itineraries to make the most out of each and every day - Expert advice: honest recommendations for getting around safely, when to visit each sight, what to do before you visit, and how to save time and money - Colour-coded chapters to every part of Madrid, from central neighbourhoods to areas beyond the capital - Practical tips: the best places to eat, drink, shop and stay - Detailed maps and walks to help you navigate the state easily and confidently - Covers: West Madrid, East Madrid, Malasana, Chueca and Salamanca, Beyond The Centre, Day Trips from Madrid Planning on touring the country? Don't forget to check out DK Eyewitness Spain. Or if you want the best of Madrid in your pocket, try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Madrid. About DK Eyewitness: At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.
The Lost History of the New Madrid Earthquakes
Author: Conevery Bolton Valencius
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022605392X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 471
Book Description
From December 1811 to February 1812, massive earthquakes shook the middle Mississippi Valley, collapsing homes, snapping large trees midtrunk, and briefly but dramatically reversing the flow of the continent’s mightiest river. For decades, people puzzled over the causes of the quakes, but by the time the nation began to recover from the Civil War, the New Madrid earthquakes had been essentially forgotten. In The Lost History of the New Madrid Earthquakes, Conevery Bolton Valencius remembers this major environmental disaster, demonstrating how events that have been long forgotten, even denied and ridiculed as tall tales, were in fact enormously important at the time of their occurrence, and continue to affect us today. Valencius weaves together scientific and historical evidence to demonstrate the vast role the New Madrid earthquakes played in the United States in the early nineteenth century, shaping the settlement patterns of early western Cherokees and other Indians, heightening the credibility of Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa for their Indian League in the War of 1812, giving force to frontier religious revival, and spreading scientific inquiry. Moving into the present, Valencius explores the intertwined reasons—environmental, scientific, social, and economic—why something as consequential as major earthquakes can be lost from public knowledge, offering a cautionary tale in a world struggling to respond to global climate change amid widespread willful denial. Engagingly written and ambitiously researched—both in the scientific literature and the writings of the time—The Lost History of the New Madrid Earthquakes will be an important resource in environmental history, geology, and seismology, as well as history of science and medicine and early American and Native American history.
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022605392X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 471
Book Description
From December 1811 to February 1812, massive earthquakes shook the middle Mississippi Valley, collapsing homes, snapping large trees midtrunk, and briefly but dramatically reversing the flow of the continent’s mightiest river. For decades, people puzzled over the causes of the quakes, but by the time the nation began to recover from the Civil War, the New Madrid earthquakes had been essentially forgotten. In The Lost History of the New Madrid Earthquakes, Conevery Bolton Valencius remembers this major environmental disaster, demonstrating how events that have been long forgotten, even denied and ridiculed as tall tales, were in fact enormously important at the time of their occurrence, and continue to affect us today. Valencius weaves together scientific and historical evidence to demonstrate the vast role the New Madrid earthquakes played in the United States in the early nineteenth century, shaping the settlement patterns of early western Cherokees and other Indians, heightening the credibility of Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa for their Indian League in the War of 1812, giving force to frontier religious revival, and spreading scientific inquiry. Moving into the present, Valencius explores the intertwined reasons—environmental, scientific, social, and economic—why something as consequential as major earthquakes can be lost from public knowledge, offering a cautionary tale in a world struggling to respond to global climate change amid widespread willful denial. Engagingly written and ambitiously researched—both in the scientific literature and the writings of the time—The Lost History of the New Madrid Earthquakes will be an important resource in environmental history, geology, and seismology, as well as history of science and medicine and early American and Native American history.
On Shaky Ground
Author: Norma Bagnall
Publisher: University of Missouri Press
ISBN: 0826210546
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 129
Book Description
Describes the severe earthquake which changed the course of the Mississippi River in several places, destroyed timberlands, drained swamps, and formed lakes.
Publisher: University of Missouri Press
ISBN: 0826210546
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 129
Book Description
Describes the severe earthquake which changed the course of the Mississippi River in several places, destroyed timberlands, drained swamps, and formed lakes.
Eyewitness Views
Author: Peter Björn Kerber
Publisher: Getty Publications
ISBN: 1606065254
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
Canaletto, Bernardo Bellotto, Luca Carlevarijs, Giovanni Paolo Panini, Francesco Guardi, Hubert Robert—these renowned view painters are perhaps most famous for their expansive canvases depicting the ruins of Rome or the canals of Venice. Many of their most splendid paintings, however, feature important contemporary events. These occasions motivated some of the greatest artists of the era to produce their most exceptional work. Little explored by scholars, these paintings stand out by virtue of their extraordinary artistic quality, vibrant atmosphere, and historical interest. They are imbued with a sense of occasion, even drama, and were often commissioned by or for rulers, princes, and ambassadors as records of significant events in which they participated. Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, this volume provides the first-ever comprehensive study—in any language—of this type of view painting. In examining these paintings alongside the historical events depicted in them, Peter Björn Kerber carefully reconstructs the meaning and context these paintings possessed for the artists who produced them and the patrons who commissioned them, as well as for their contemporary viewers. This vital book represents a major contribution to the field of view painting studies and will be an essential resource for scholars and enthusiasts.
Publisher: Getty Publications
ISBN: 1606065254
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
Canaletto, Bernardo Bellotto, Luca Carlevarijs, Giovanni Paolo Panini, Francesco Guardi, Hubert Robert—these renowned view painters are perhaps most famous for their expansive canvases depicting the ruins of Rome or the canals of Venice. Many of their most splendid paintings, however, feature important contemporary events. These occasions motivated some of the greatest artists of the era to produce their most exceptional work. Little explored by scholars, these paintings stand out by virtue of their extraordinary artistic quality, vibrant atmosphere, and historical interest. They are imbued with a sense of occasion, even drama, and were often commissioned by or for rulers, princes, and ambassadors as records of significant events in which they participated. Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, this volume provides the first-ever comprehensive study—in any language—of this type of view painting. In examining these paintings alongside the historical events depicted in them, Peter Björn Kerber carefully reconstructs the meaning and context these paintings possessed for the artists who produced them and the patrons who commissioned them, as well as for their contemporary viewers. This vital book represents a major contribution to the field of view painting studies and will be an essential resource for scholars and enthusiasts.
Music in Mexico
Author: Alejandro L. Madrid
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780199812806
Category : Popular music
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The complex legacy of Mexico's ethnic past and geographic location have shaped the country and its culture. In Music in Mexico, Alejandro L. Madrid uses extensive fieldwork, interviews with performers, eyewitness accounts of performances, and vivid illustrations to guide students through modern-day music practices. Applying three themes-ethnic identity, migration, and media influences-the text explores the music that Mexicans grow up listening to and shows how these traditions are the result of long-standing transnational dialogues. Packaged with a 40-minute audio CD containing musical examples, the text features numerous listening activities that engage students with the music. Music in Mexico is one of several case-study volumes that can be used along with Thinking Musically, the core book in the Global Music Series. Thinking Musically incorporates music from many diverse cultures and establishes the framework for exploring the practice of music around the world. It sets the stage for an array of case-study volumes, each of which focuses on a single area of the world. Each case study uses the contemporary musical situation as a point of departure, covering historical information and traditions as they relate to the present. Visit www.oup.com/us/globalmusic for a list of case studies in the Global Music Series. The website also includes instructional material to accompany each study.
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780199812806
Category : Popular music
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The complex legacy of Mexico's ethnic past and geographic location have shaped the country and its culture. In Music in Mexico, Alejandro L. Madrid uses extensive fieldwork, interviews with performers, eyewitness accounts of performances, and vivid illustrations to guide students through modern-day music practices. Applying three themes-ethnic identity, migration, and media influences-the text explores the music that Mexicans grow up listening to and shows how these traditions are the result of long-standing transnational dialogues. Packaged with a 40-minute audio CD containing musical examples, the text features numerous listening activities that engage students with the music. Music in Mexico is one of several case-study volumes that can be used along with Thinking Musically, the core book in the Global Music Series. Thinking Musically incorporates music from many diverse cultures and establishes the framework for exploring the practice of music around the world. It sets the stage for an array of case-study volumes, each of which focuses on a single area of the world. Each case study uses the contemporary musical situation as a point of departure, covering historical information and traditions as they relate to the present. Visit www.oup.com/us/globalmusic for a list of case studies in the Global Music Series. The website also includes instructional material to accompany each study.
The Madrid Codex
Author: Gabrielle Vail
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 472
Book Description
This volume offers new calendrical models and methodologies for reading, dating, and interpreting the general significance of the Madrid Codex. The longest of the surviving Maya codices, this manuscript includes texts and images painted by scribes conversant in Maya hieroglyphic writing, a written means of communication practiced by Maya elites from the second to the fifteenth centuries A.D. Some scholars have recently argued that the Madrid Codex originated in the Petén region of Guatemala and postdates European contact. The contributors to this volume challenge that view by demonstrating convincingly that it originated in northern Yucatán and was painted in the Pre-Columbian era. In addition, several contributors reveal provocative connections among the Madrid and Borgia group of codices from Central Mexico. Contributors include: Harvey M. Bricker, Victoria R. Bricker, John F. Chuchiak IV, Christine L. Hernández, Bryan R. Just, Merideth Paxton, and John Pohl. Additional support for this publication was generously provided by the Eugene M. Kayden Fund at the University of Colorado.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 472
Book Description
This volume offers new calendrical models and methodologies for reading, dating, and interpreting the general significance of the Madrid Codex. The longest of the surviving Maya codices, this manuscript includes texts and images painted by scribes conversant in Maya hieroglyphic writing, a written means of communication practiced by Maya elites from the second to the fifteenth centuries A.D. Some scholars have recently argued that the Madrid Codex originated in the Petén region of Guatemala and postdates European contact. The contributors to this volume challenge that view by demonstrating convincingly that it originated in northern Yucatán and was painted in the Pre-Columbian era. In addition, several contributors reveal provocative connections among the Madrid and Borgia group of codices from Central Mexico. Contributors include: Harvey M. Bricker, Victoria R. Bricker, John F. Chuchiak IV, Christine L. Hernández, Bryan R. Just, Merideth Paxton, and John Pohl. Additional support for this publication was generously provided by the Eugene M. Kayden Fund at the University of Colorado.
Peninsular Eyewitnesses
Author: Charles Esdaile
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1844151913
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 353
Book Description
Many books have been written about the British struggle against Napoleon in the Peninsula. A few recent studies have given a broader view of the ebb and flow of a long war that had a shattering impact on Spain and Portugal and marked the history of all the nations involved. But none of these books has concentrated on how these momentous events were perceived and understood by the people who experienced them. Charles Esdaile has brought together a vivid selection of contemporary accounts of every aspect of the war to create a panoramic yet minutely detailed picture of those years of turmoil. The story is told through memoirs, letters and eyewitness testimony from all sides. Instead of generals and statesmen, we mostly hear from less-well-known figures - junior officers and ordinary soldiers and civilians who recorded their immediate experience of the conflict.
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1844151913
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 353
Book Description
Many books have been written about the British struggle against Napoleon in the Peninsula. A few recent studies have given a broader view of the ebb and flow of a long war that had a shattering impact on Spain and Portugal and marked the history of all the nations involved. But none of these books has concentrated on how these momentous events were perceived and understood by the people who experienced them. Charles Esdaile has brought together a vivid selection of contemporary accounts of every aspect of the war to create a panoramic yet minutely detailed picture of those years of turmoil. The story is told through memoirs, letters and eyewitness testimony from all sides. Instead of generals and statesmen, we mostly hear from less-well-known figures - junior officers and ordinary soldiers and civilians who recorded their immediate experience of the conflict.
Holding Back the River
Author: Tyler J. Kelley
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501187066
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
A revelatory work of reporting on the men and women wrestling to harness and preserve America’s most vital natural resource: our rivers. The Mississippi. The Missouri. The Ohio. America’s rivers are the very lifeblood of our country. We need them for nourishing crops, for cheap bulk transportation, for hydroelectric power, for fresh drinking water. Rivers are also part of our mythology, our collective soul; they are Mark Twain, Led Zeppelin, and the Delta Blues. But as infrastructure across the nation fails and climate change pushes rivers and seas to new heights, we’ve arrived at a critical moment in our battle to tame these often-destructive forces of nature. Tyler J. Kelley spent two years traveling the heartland, getting to know the men and women whose lives and livelihoods rely on these tenuously tamed streams. On the Illinois-Kentucky border, we encounter Luther Helland, master of the most important—and most decrepit—lock and dam in America. This old dam at the end of the Ohio River was scheduled to be replaced in 1998, but twenty years and $3 billion later, its replacement still isn’t finished. As the old dam crumbles and commerce grinds to a halt, Helland and his team must risk their lives, using steam-powered equipment and sheer brawn, to raise and lower the dam as often as ten times a year. In Southeast Missouri, we meet Twan Robinson, who lives in the historically Black village of Pinhook. As a super-flood rises on the Mississippi, she learns from her sister that the US Army Corps of Engineers is going to blow up the levee that stands between her home and the river. With barely enough notice to evacuate her elderly mother and pack up a few of her own belongings, Robinson escapes to safety only to begin a nightmarish years-long battle to rebuild her lost community. Atop a floodgate in central Louisiana, we’re beside Major General Richard Kaiser, the man responsible for keeping North America’s greatest river under control. Kaiser stands above the spot where the Mississippi River wants to change course, abandoning Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and following the Atchafalaya River to the sea. The daily flow of water from one river to the other is carefully regulated, but something else is happening that may be out of Kaiser and the Corps’ control. America’s infrastructure is old and underfunded. While our economy, society, and climate have changed, our levees, locks, and dams have not. Yet to fix what’s wrong will require more than money. It will require an act of imagination. “With meticulous research and insightful analysis” (Publishers Weekly), Holding Back the River brings us into the lives of the Americans who grapple with our mighty rivers and, through their stories, suggests solutions to some of the century’s greatest challenges.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1501187066
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
A revelatory work of reporting on the men and women wrestling to harness and preserve America’s most vital natural resource: our rivers. The Mississippi. The Missouri. The Ohio. America’s rivers are the very lifeblood of our country. We need them for nourishing crops, for cheap bulk transportation, for hydroelectric power, for fresh drinking water. Rivers are also part of our mythology, our collective soul; they are Mark Twain, Led Zeppelin, and the Delta Blues. But as infrastructure across the nation fails and climate change pushes rivers and seas to new heights, we’ve arrived at a critical moment in our battle to tame these often-destructive forces of nature. Tyler J. Kelley spent two years traveling the heartland, getting to know the men and women whose lives and livelihoods rely on these tenuously tamed streams. On the Illinois-Kentucky border, we encounter Luther Helland, master of the most important—and most decrepit—lock and dam in America. This old dam at the end of the Ohio River was scheduled to be replaced in 1998, but twenty years and $3 billion later, its replacement still isn’t finished. As the old dam crumbles and commerce grinds to a halt, Helland and his team must risk their lives, using steam-powered equipment and sheer brawn, to raise and lower the dam as often as ten times a year. In Southeast Missouri, we meet Twan Robinson, who lives in the historically Black village of Pinhook. As a super-flood rises on the Mississippi, she learns from her sister that the US Army Corps of Engineers is going to blow up the levee that stands between her home and the river. With barely enough notice to evacuate her elderly mother and pack up a few of her own belongings, Robinson escapes to safety only to begin a nightmarish years-long battle to rebuild her lost community. Atop a floodgate in central Louisiana, we’re beside Major General Richard Kaiser, the man responsible for keeping North America’s greatest river under control. Kaiser stands above the spot where the Mississippi River wants to change course, abandoning Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and following the Atchafalaya River to the sea. The daily flow of water from one river to the other is carefully regulated, but something else is happening that may be out of Kaiser and the Corps’ control. America’s infrastructure is old and underfunded. While our economy, society, and climate have changed, our levees, locks, and dams have not. Yet to fix what’s wrong will require more than money. It will require an act of imagination. “With meticulous research and insightful analysis” (Publishers Weekly), Holding Back the River brings us into the lives of the Americans who grapple with our mighty rivers and, through their stories, suggests solutions to some of the century’s greatest challenges.