Rivers: A Very Short Introduction [Paperback]

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.

Introduction
1. Nature's driver
2. Strong brown gods
3. Liquid histories
4. Roads that move
5. Rearranged rivers
Epilogue
Further reading

Nick 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.