Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis and What To Do About It Edition Unstated

Before reading this book, I had some familiarity with America's water crisis, but I was still surprised by its extent and urgency as presented by Robert Glennon. He covers all parts of the country, and all sectors of activity from residential to agricultural to a variety of industries. He also enlightens us on the sorry state of aquifers, water distribution, and water treatment. And he does all of this with an appreciation for the cross-cutting effects of water problems on a range of societal needs and individual behaviors.Glennon discusses an assortment of near-term and long-term solutions. The urgency of the problem leads him, in my opinion, to underemphasize some long-term efforts, particularly a dramatic expansion of desalination. Nonetheless, it's refreshing that the author presents some thoughtful solutions rather than just wringing his hands about the problems.Glennon's writing is well-researched, and numerous photos and maps help clarify the text. His style is enjoyable, which helps the reader get through the rather depressing message. A must-read for those who care about finding solutions to problems of national scope.

Glennon has a compelling writing style that makes me wish he had been my professor in college. We think of water shortages as either very local or a western desert problem (why did they build there again?). Glennon brings home that water supply-- access to safe reliable drinking water-- is a national issue, a national problem, and a national victim of short-sighted policy. The healthier our rivers, the healthier our supply-- the more sustainable our use, the more cost-effective it will be. So little of our planet is fresh water, and solutions such as desalination have such high economic and environmental costs (have YOU thought about what happens to the condensed salt that is removed?), we need to focus on how the re-frame our use of freshwater in a way that ensures the present and the future. Glennon presents the issues and the solutions in a way that is accessible to everyone who needs water-- and those who cannot speak up for their own needs who live in the trees, the ground, and the streams around us. This is a terrific follow on to his first book and a more useful read in the ways in which it addresses solutions.

I read the Audible version of this book supplemented by the Kindle version where I put highlights and notes. found this book after viewing the equally thought provoking documentary "Last Call at the Oasis". The water crisis as described by Robert Glennon is complex. The book does a good job of describing it and highlighting that in most cases, it isn't caused by a single problem but rather is a result of the interconnection of multiple causes (in other words, it looks at the entire system and how it is failing). The solutions are equally thorny and again Robert provides a good overview of the pros and cons of various solutions to give a very balanced understanding of the issues. It closes with a list of individual action items that we can each consider and (at least partially) act on so that we can help to start addressing the problem.

Dr. Glennon does a fantastic job of outlining key water rights issues in the United States and proposing strategies to address them. He shares his impressive knowledge of the intricate workings of water rights deals and transactions that don't always receive the media attention that they deserve. This accessible well-written book is a valuable way to educate yourself about U.S. water issues in the coming future. This book reminds us that water scarcity is a problem that the U.S. will need to address, it is not only a problem of undeveloped countries.

I was looking for a book that could help me become a part of a water-saving movement from the ground up, so to speak. But this book is indeed so well-researched in regards to the big picture of the water crisis, that it left me feeling quite miniscule and powerless. Yes, there is Vegas and there are huge land, water and farming deals being made by entities so out of reach and so much more powerful than us...but what can we do about it?I found it interesting the author admitted that he didn't take navy showers -- that is, to turn off the shower between rinses, as they must to save water on a ship. That seems to sum up where the author is coming from, or isn't coming from. I know my water-saving techniques around the house don't really amount to a hill of beans, but what about "be the change you want to see in the world"? Maybe all we need as a species is for each of us to become that straw on the camel's back -- to push that cultural tipping point and turn things around for our future.

Glennon's book is an approachable, yet sophisticated, look at water law and policy in America today. I was assigned to read chapters from this book for a Water Law class- evidence that it's a reliable source. I thoroughly enjoyed the many anecdotes he includes as illustrations, and plan to pass it off to the intellectually curious readers (lawyers and lay-people alike) in my life.

Not since I read his book "Water Follies" (which inspired me to write my soon to be released novel "Water Hazard") have I been so intrigued with Professor Glennon's ability to motivate thought and inspire ecological sensitivity.This book should be required reading for anybody who uses water. After reading Unquenchable I promise that you will never want to waste another drop of that precious liquid.Tim Baker[...]

This book is very readable and has an important message. We saw the speaker last night and he confirmed all the information in the book...things haven't changed. The book has good examples and some possible solutions. We all need to pay attention to our water crisis. Worth the read even if it makes one feel guilty!