Reader recommendation: Water

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Water, by Steven Solomon, covers the history of mankind’s manipulation of water resources for domestic needs, economic production, power generation, and strategic advantage since the beginning of civilization, in a grand sweep covering the globe. Solomon points out that no civilization without adequate water has survived for long, and the book’s last section deals with coming shortages and environmental consequences. It is eminently readable. I was enthralled and enlightened.