📖 Overview
Marc Reisner (1948-2000) was an American environmental writer best known for his influential book "Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water" published in 1986. The book became a seminal work on water policy and development in the western United States.
Reisner worked as a staff writer and communications director for the Natural Resources Defense Council in the 1970s, establishing himself as an authority on environmental issues. His research and writing focused particularly on water usage, dam construction, and agricultural policies in the American West.
Through "Cadillac Desert" and his other works, including "Game Wars" and "A Dangerous Place," Reisner exposed the political and environmental consequences of water management decisions in arid regions. The PBS documentary adaptation of "Cadillac Desert" further expanded the reach of his research and conclusions about water scarcity.
Reisner's work fundamentally changed the discourse around water resources and development in the western United States, earning him a Pew Fellowship and other distinguished honors. His writings continue to influence environmental policy discussions and remain relevant to contemporary debates about water management and climate change.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight Reisner's detailed research and engaging narrative style in "Cadillac Desert." Many note how he transforms complex water policy into compelling storytelling. One reader on Goodreads writes: "He makes the history of water rights and infrastructure read like a political thriller."
Readers appreciate:
- Clear explanation of technical concepts
- Balance of historical detail and readability
- Thorough documentation and research
- Relevance to current water issues
Common criticisms:
- Dense political details can be overwhelming
- Some sections feel repetitive
- Occasional bias in presenting certain viewpoints
- Length and complexity challenging for casual readers
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (8,900+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (850+ ratings)
LibraryThing: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings)
"Game Wars" and "A Dangerous Place" receive fewer reviews but similar ratings, with readers noting their investigative depth. Several reviewers mention returning to "Cadillac Desert" multiple times, finding new insights with each reading.
📚 Books by Marc Reisner
Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water (1986)
A comprehensive examination of water management in the American West, covering the political battles, environmental impacts, and long-term consequences of dam building and irrigation projects.
Game Wars (1991) An investigation into wildlife law enforcement in America, following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents as they combat illegal hunting and animal trafficking.
A Dangerous Place (2003, published posthumously) A detailed analysis of California's vulnerability to earthquakes and flooding, examining the state's water infrastructure and development patterns.
Overtapped Oasis: Reform Or Revolution For Western Water (1990) A collaborative work with Sarah Bates that examines the legal and political framework of western water management and proposes reforms to the existing system.
Game Wars (1991) An investigation into wildlife law enforcement in America, following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents as they combat illegal hunting and animal trafficking.
A Dangerous Place (2003, published posthumously) A detailed analysis of California's vulnerability to earthquakes and flooding, examining the state's water infrastructure and development patterns.
Overtapped Oasis: Reform Or Revolution For Western Water (1990) A collaborative work with Sarah Bates that examines the legal and political framework of western water management and proposes reforms to the existing system.
👥 Similar authors
John McPhee
His books combine deep reporting on natural resources, geology, and human impacts on landscapes across America. His writing style pairs scientific precision with narrative storytelling through works like "The Control of Nature" and "Basin and Range."
Wallace Stegner His non-fiction works examine the development of the American West with particular focus on water rights and conservation. "Beyond the Hundredth Meridian," about John Wesley Powell's explorations and water predictions for the West, parallels many of Reisner's concerns.
Donald Worster His environmental histories focus on water usage and ecological change in the American West through works like "Rivers of Empire." He examines the intersection of water policy, power structures, and environmental transformation across the western states.
Charles Wilkinson His works analyze natural resource law and policy in the American West, particularly water rights and public lands. He combines legal expertise with historical analysis in books like "Crossing the Next Meridian" that examine resource management conflicts.
Peter Gleick His research and writing focus on global water issues, climate change, and resource conflicts. His works like "Water in Crisis" examine water policy challenges through scientific and policy analysis similar to Reisner's approach.
Wallace Stegner His non-fiction works examine the development of the American West with particular focus on water rights and conservation. "Beyond the Hundredth Meridian," about John Wesley Powell's explorations and water predictions for the West, parallels many of Reisner's concerns.
Donald Worster His environmental histories focus on water usage and ecological change in the American West through works like "Rivers of Empire." He examines the intersection of water policy, power structures, and environmental transformation across the western states.
Charles Wilkinson His works analyze natural resource law and policy in the American West, particularly water rights and public lands. He combines legal expertise with historical analysis in books like "Crossing the Next Meridian" that examine resource management conflicts.
Peter Gleick His research and writing focus on global water issues, climate change, and resource conflicts. His works like "Water in Crisis" examine water policy challenges through scientific and policy analysis similar to Reisner's approach.