--- product_id: 46045173 title: "Drinking Water: A History" brand: "james salzman" price: "€ 38.12" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 9 url: https://www.desertcart.fr/products/46045173-drinking-water-a-history store_origin: FR region: France --- # Drinking Water: A History **Brand:** james salzman **Price:** € 38.12 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Drinking Water: A History by james salzman - **How much does it cost?** € 38.12 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.fr](https://www.desertcart.fr/products/46045173-drinking-water-a-history) ## Best For - james salzman enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted james salzman brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Full description not available ## Images ![Drinking Water: A History - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81yDl+8HCsL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars politically astute presentation of a surprisingly provocative topic *by H***S on Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2012* Through the prism of this seemingly simple commodity, and with a wit as sharp as his narrative balance is smooth, Salzman focuses our attention on drinking water's complicated past and consequential future. Exploring the ambiguous phrase he claims as his title, Salzman illuminates the surprising depths of this seemingly shallow substance. Amongst the many essential ideas new to my understanding of the politics of water, Salzman's discussion of the consequences of the roles played by women and girls as "water bearers" in many developing countries has made a powerful impact. Opening with the aptly-named story of "Mother McCloud" as he does, the book, on a closer read, shows its keen political and social consciousness, something that has been a refreshing surprise amidst the other pieces I've read on related subjects. I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy the following: historically-informed thinking, a dry wit, balanced journalism, mindfulness in politics, and clear-eyed story-telling. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars Makes the inanimate interesting *by S***N on Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2021* Why develop a detailed history about something as ubiquitous as water? Salzman shows why in this well-written inspection of a resource without which humans could not survive. He covers contemporary legal issues as well as (in the revised edition) the 2016 debacle in Flint, Michigan. He discourses about science, economics, human history, and public policy at length. Through adept writing, he makes the mundane and overlooked to become interesting and critical. To the curious reader, he offers a look at an environmental issue of importance that barely receives notice of the average citizen.Salzman bookends his book with the tale of a small California town targeted by Nestle for a water plant. This dying town’s leadership sought a bottled-water facility as a way to restore economic health. However, many in the town rebelled from their leadership for environmental reasons. The economic-versus-environment motif played out through the courts, and Nestle eventually withdrew its plans. While many citizens saw this as a victory, the town council still has no other plans to aid the region’s economic health.Controversies such as this will likely take place with increasing rapidity in America in coming decades. America’s water infrastructure is aging, and public funds, required in the billions of dollars, are lacking. Worse, public interest is also lacking – something that Salzman, a law professor and environmental policy wonk, seeks to combat.Finding healthy water sources and providing water treatment has been an integral part of human society since the Romans, as the author delineates. Public attention often passes despite the issue’s obvious importance. Water infrastructure in the developed world is surprisingly still vulnerable to fears of terrorism. An expanding society means an increasing need of water, yet few politicians attend to such concerns.This book should gain the attention of those interested in public policy. Hopefully, it will also grab the attention of informed citizens and their leaders. It brings interest to a topic that is, as the author convincingly persuades, worthy of such. This work focuses on the social impacts yet provides scientific detail of involved elements. As such, Salzman’s words can access a wide audience. Hopefully, the world need not repeat scenarios like Flint, Michigan, to realize the importance of attending to these matters. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Great insights into a topic most of us ignore each day *by B***R on Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2014* This was a real eye-opener for me, because the topic of drinking water (and its history) is rarely discussed in the part of the country where I live—the Great Lakes basin—where water is plentiful. But as the 21st century progresses, the subjects presented in this book will take on increased importance for all of us. Most of the book is written in an engaging way that makes you want to keep reading—an excellent "sales pitch" for a vital issue. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.fr/products/46045173-drinking-water-a-history](https://www.desertcart.fr/products/46045173-drinking-water-a-history) --- *Product available on Desertcart France* *Store origin: FR* *Last updated: 2026-04-24*