WRITING ON WATER: Water and its Multifaceted Relationship to Humans, as Portrayed by a Wide Range of Writers and Photographers

The second volume in MIT's Terra Nova series, designed to promote an artistic, practical and political context for vital environmental topics, this collection explores the earth's ubiquitous liquid in all its permutations—rain, fog, snow, mud, blood, tears, lakes, hot springs, swamps, waves, etc. From reflections on the waters of creation out of the Rig Veda, one of Hinduism's earliest writings, to Octavio Paz's magical realism, the book moves beyond mundane boundaries, offering a compendium of sacred texts, short stories, poetry, personal reflections, and scientific essays and photographs. Moving from the ancient chthonic springs of Delphi to the dark, icy Hudson River, the writings stir consciousness and conscience, while exceptional photographs complement the text. Refreshing as a cool drink from a deep well on a steamy July afternoon, the novelty, variety and quality of the readings in this collection are sure to reinvigorate. Photos. (June)