Water Life Force

This large-format, lavishly-illustrated book is a celebration of water – its history and its many roles in the human and natural world. Author Maggie Black delves into literary, historical and folkloric sources for extracts and quotations that highlight and complement more than 90 photographs demonstrating the majesty of water. These images range from natural wonders, such as oceans, mighty rivers and snow-capped mountains, to everyday scenes of people interacting with water; planting seedlings, boiling kettles and jumping puddles. The text and photographs are interspersed with contemporary droplets of fact.

About the author: Maggie Black is a writer on international issues, including water resources and children’s rights. She has written histories of Unicef and Oxfam, as well as books and reports on water and sanitation. Widely traveled in the developing world, especially in East Africa and South Asia, she has worked as a consultant for many international organizations. A book on the drinking water crisis in India’s villages will shortly be published by OUP in Delhi. She also wrote an NI magazine issue on the struggle against large dams in India’s Narmada Valley, and two No-Nonsense Guides: International Development and Water.