Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water, Revised Edition
by Marc Reisner
Cadillac Desert chronicles the American West's water odyssey, from grand irrigation schemes to the looming crisis of depletion. Marc Reisner uncovers how engineering triumphs have imperiled the region's future, blending history, politics, and ecology in a compelling account of resource mismanagement and resilience.
About This Book
Cadillac Desert examines the transformation of the American West through its water management history. Author Marc Reisner details the epic struggles over scarce resources that have defined the region's development.
The book highlights massive federal projects, including dams and aqueducts, designed to conquer arid lands for agriculture and urban growth. These efforts, while ambitious, have led to environmental consequences and debates over sustainability.
In this revised edition, updates address contemporary challenges, such as climate change and policy shifts, underscoring the West's enduring water dilemmas. Reisner's narrative blends investigative journalism with historical analysis to illuminate a critical national issue.
The work serves as a cautionary tale about human intervention in natural systems, influencing discussions on water rights, conservation, and future planning in the United States.
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