A fascinating exploration of lakesaround the world, from WaldenPond to the Dead Sea.
Read More
Stager appreciates the powerful connections between water and human beings. With Thoreau in mind he proposes we not hesitate to build upon the most accurate and inspiring parts of Thoreau’s writing, especially since we have an additional 150 years of scientific discoveries to inform us, not to mention today’s ease of travel and literature searches. He argues for a deep look into the natural world and our place in it. Modern science demonstrates that, not only are we shaped by its elements and forces, but also are a force of nature in our own right, having the power to change the ecology and chemistry of lakes and oceans, alter climates, and force entire species into extinction. He prefers those who promote listening more carefully to the world instead of imposing our desires and imaginations on it. The language he uses to refer to animals reveals his reverence for them as conscious beings. Chapters range from Walden Pond’s time capsule of American history to the atomic elements of the Earth linking the reader to fish and lake water. The reader will hunt for the Loch Ness monster from orbiting spacecraft; investigate purported miracles at the Sea of Galilee, and hike the shore of Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake in Siberia at approximately 5,387 feet. While Walden Pond is a dimple in glacial deposits, Lake Baikal is a trench-like rift lake similar to Lake Tanganyika. His cast of characters throughout the book include scientists who worry that a huge African lake has become too clouded with algae; anglers who are concerned that a lake in Germany has become too clean; resource managers who poison lakes with pesticides in order to save them, and wilderness environmentalists who try to protect such lakes from being poisoned. Annotation ©2018 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
Read Less