River of Empire (humanities and Society Translation Series)
About This Novel
Rivers of Empire is a history of water and its conquest. The author strives to decipher the existing myths of the American West through two approaches: first, discovering and analyzing the role that nature, especially water in nature, played in the evolution of Western history; second, transcending the West, understanding the relationship between water and humans in the West in a far broader and longer time and space, and examining the history of water and water control. These two pathways "join into a single circle of their basin" in the flowing water, reflecting the theme that spans the dams and ditches of the West: domination of nature through technology and capital, and the control of others by those who master technology and capital. This book has caused great controversy since its publication. Praisers regard it as a masterpiece of environmental history and New West historiography, while critics often think its arguments are excessive. However, it cannot be denied that this book is excellent in terms of writing and discussion, and it is still a must-read for scholars of environmental history, Western history, and other American histories.
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