The Encyclopedia of Water Politics and Policy in the United States

Danver (social sciences, Walden Univ.; Seas and Waterways; editor, Journal of the West) and Burch (dean, Campbellsville Univ.; Owsley County) preside over material by 60 U.S. academics. The 300 articles of 1000-plus words address problems, solutions, projects, legislation, legal cases, people, and organizations over the past 150 years. An additional 75 "Features"—subsections of 100 words each—add interest on such topics as the Buffalo Creek flood, which is highlighted in the article on mining. A thematic table of contents allows users to access easily, for example, projects by subject area and biographies. Other encyclopedias, such as Pedro Fierro Jr. and Evan K. Nyer's The Water Encyclopedia (CRC Press, 2007), are more scientific and technical and do not address the political problems of water availability in as much detail. In environmental encyclopedias, water problems tend to be addressed from the perspective of pollution. Here, on the other hand, is a clear, single-volume, up-to-date work focused on social and political issues related to water in the United States. BOTTOM LINE This unique resource will appeal to general readers as well as students in many fields, including science, history, and social justice.—Janice Dunham, John Jay Coll. Lib., CUNY