Rivers: A Very Short Introduction [Paperback]

ThisVery Short Introductionis a celebration of rivers in all their diversity. Nick Middleton covers a wide and eclectic range of river-based themes, from physical geography to mythology, to industrial history and literary criticism. Worshipped and revered, respected and feared, rivers reflect both the natural and social history of our planet.Rivers have acted as cradles for civilization and agents of disaster; a river may be a barrier or a highway, it can support trade and sediment, culture and conflict. ThisVery Short Introductionis a celebration of rivers in all their diversity. Geographer Nick Middleton covers a wide and eclectic range of river-based themes, from physical geography to mythology, to industrial history and literary criticism. Offering a truly global look at rivers, with examples from all continents, including Egypt, India, and Bangladesh, Middleton considers the role that rivers have played in human history from settlements and trade to warfare, and also looks at the human impact upon rivers by the construction of dams and cutting of channels.Introduction1. Nature's driver2. Strong brown gods3. Liquid histories4. Roads that move5. Rearranged riversEpilogueFurther readingNick Middletonis a geographer, writer, and well-known presenter of theGoing to Extremestelevision documentaries. He teaches at Oxford University, where he is a Fellow of St Anne's College.Middleton covers a wide and eclectic range of river-based themes, from physical geography to mythology, to industrial history and literary criticism