Daniel McCool not only chronicles the history of water development
agencies in America and the way in which special interests have abused
rather than preserved the country's rivers, he also narrates the second,
brighter act in this ongoing story: the surging, grassroots movement to
bring these rivers back to life and ensure they remain pristine for
future generations.
The culmination of ten years of research and observation, McCool's book
confirms the surprising news that America's rivers are indeed returning
to a healthier, free-flowing condition. The politics of river
restoration demonstrates how strong grassroots movements can challenge
entrenched powers and win. Through passion and dedication, ordinary
people are reclaiming the American landscape, forming a "river republic"
of concerned citizens from all backgrounds and sectors of society. As
McCool shows, the history, culture, and fate of America is tied to its
rivers, and their restoration is a microcosm mirroring American beliefs,
livelihoods, and an increasing awareness of what two hundred years of
environmental degradation can do.
McCool profiles the individuals he calls "instigators," who initiated
the fight for these waterways and, despite enormous odds, have succeeded
in the near-impossible task of challenging and changing the status quo.
Part I of the volume recounts the history of America's relationship to
its rivers; part II describes how and why Americans "parted" them out,
destroying their essence and diminishing their value; and part III shows
how society can live in harmony with its waterways while restoring their
well-being--and, by extension, the well-being of those who depend on
them.
