Overview

Water breaks rocks, levels mountains, and cuts canyons. It comes in many forms, from puddles, to icicles, to mist, to tidal waves. It covers most of the Earth and constitutes a majority of the human body. Too much water can destroy entire regions-so can too little. Life depends on it. We drink it, bathe in it, swim in it, drown in it, fish in it, heat up and cool off in it. One of the most versatile and familiar elements in the world, water is also one of the most mysterious. The 236 entries in this book comprise an A-Z overview of water's manifold roles in human society and the natural world throughout history. Topics include boats and ships, dams, groundwater, hydrology, ice, the Johnstown Flood, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, sea monsters, surface tension, and water wheels, and much more. Scientific and technical issues are explored, including the physical and chemical properties of water, steam, and ice; the uses to which water and steam are put; and the purification, transfer, and uses of water by communities. The hydrologic cycle is explained, with attention to the properties and distribution of ice masses, and the properties of oceans and rivers. Philosophical, mystical, metaphorical, and symbolic roles of water in literature, mythology, religion, the visual arts, and music are considered, as are individuals and organizations responsible for contributing to our understanding of water. This book includes a bibliography and a guide to related topics. Each entry concludes with a list of further readings.

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9781573563048

Table of Contents

Reviews

Expect the unexpected as you leaf through this curious collection of brief articles related to water....[R]ecommended for general audiences or undergraduate students. -E-Streams

[a] wonderful browsing book where one can learn about the ancient art of dowsing and find a discussion of limnology....an attractive resource for public and academic libraries and might also be considered for high-school libraries, where it could be useful for reports. -Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin [A]n ideal school and public library reference book. -SciTech Book News Suitable for high school and college students and general readers. -Reference Reviews As a first source tool, it will serve both high school and college students. -Gale Free Resources Reference Reviews [s]uitable to a wide audience. It is a concise yet useful work on a wide range of water-related topics. Recommended. -Choice A n ideal school and public library reference book. -SciTech Book News s uitable to a wide audience. It is a concise yet useful work on a wide range of water-related topics. Recommended. -Choice a wonderful browsing book where one can learn about the ancient art of dowsing and find a discussion of limnology....an attractive resource for public and academic libraries and might also be considered for high-school libraries, where it could be useful for reports. -Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin ?[A]n ideal school and public library reference book.?-SciTech Book News ?As a first source tool, it will serve both high school and college students.?-Gale Free Resources Reference Reviews ?Expect the unexpected as you leaf through this curious collection of brief articles related to water....[R]ecommended for general audiences or undergraduate students.?-E-Streams ?Suitable for high school and college students and general readers.?-Reference Reviews ?[s]uitable to a wide audience. It is a concise yet useful work on a wide range of water-related topics. Recommended.?-Choice ?[a] wonderful browsing book where one can learn about the ancient art of dowsing and find a discussion of limnology....an attractive resource for public and academic libraries and might also be considered for high-school libraries, where it could be useful for reports.?-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin Expect the unexpected as you leaf through this curious collection of brief articles related to water....[R]ecommended for general audiences or undergraduate students. -E-Streams

[a] wonderful browsing book where one can learn about the ancient art of dowsing and find a discussion of limnology....an attractive resource for public and academic libraries and might also be considered for high-school libraries, where it could be useful for reports. -Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin [A]n ideal school and public library reference book. -SciTech Book News Suitable for high school and college students and general readers. -Reference Reviews As a first source tool, it will serve both high school and college students. -Gale Free Resources Reference Reviews [s]uitable to a wide audience. It is a concise yet useful work on a wide range of water-related topics. Recommended. -Choice A n ideal school and public library reference book. -SciTech Book News s uitable to a wide audience. It is a concise yet useful work on a wide range of water-related topics. Recommended. -Choice a wonderful browsing book where one can learn about the ancient art of dowsing and find a discussion of limnology....an attractive resource for public and academic libraries and might also be considered for high-school libraries, where it could be useful for reports. -Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin ?[A]n ideal school and public library reference book.?-SciTech Book News ?Suitable for high school and college students and general readers.?-Reference Reviews ?As a first source tool, it will serve both high school and college students.?-Gale Free Resources Reference Reviews ?[s]uitable to a wide audience. It is a concise yet useful work on a wide range of water-related topics. Recommended.?-Choice ?Expect the unexpected as you leaf through this curious collection of brief articles related to water....[R]ecommended for general audiences or undergraduate students.?-E-Streams ?[a] wonderful browsing book where one can learn about the ancient art of dowsing and find a discussion of limnology....an attractive resource for public and academic libraries and might also be considered for high-school libraries, where it could be useful for reports.?-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin Expect the unexpected as you leaf through this curious collection of brief articles related to water....[R]ecommended for general audiences or undergraduate students. -E-Streams

Author Information

DAVID E. NEWTON David E. Newton has published extensively on chemistry and other science subjects. He is the award-winning author of numerous books, articles, and scholarly publications, including The Chemical Elements, Science in the 1920s, The Ozone Dilemma, Encyclopedia of Cryptology, Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, Problems in Chemistry, Global Warming, Encyclopedia of the Chemical Elements, and Social Issues in Science and Technology. Newton received his doctorate in science education from Harvard University.

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