Waterfall: Nature and Culture

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

With their fountains of glistening spray, overwhelming roar and terrifying might, waterfalls are extraordinary features of the natural world. While many flock to sites such as Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls, until now the rich cultural background of these natural wonders has been neglected. TheBeautiful, the Sublime and the Picturesque are among the ideas considered in relation to waterfalls, and in Waterfall: Nature and Culture Brian J. Hudson portrays these natural wonders in an entirely new light.

Reviews

Looking at the natural wonders in a new light, the author explores the many myths and legends that tumbling rivers and streams have inspired in cultures . . . A unique addition to any nature-lovers bookshelves, this beautifully illustrated book is a fascinating look at the history and value of waterfalls. * Yorkshire Ridings magazine *
Waterfall includes wide-ranging chapters on how waterfalls are formed, their ecological importance, their use in landscape and urban design, and their role in water power and as tourist destinations, along with their beauty, allure, and current threats. The humanities perspective provides a fresh look at a remarkable natural phenomenon. Recommended. * Choice *
An evocative, well-researched, beautifully illustrated and many-layered exploration of one of our planet's most compelling natural wonders. * Margaret Drabble *
Waterfall is that rare book on nature, learned and beautifully illustrated, encyclopedic in detail and sweeping in historical, aesthetic, and applied coverage, a must not only on the shelf of every nature lover's library, but also - I might add - on his or her coffee table. * Yi-Fu Tuan, author of Space and Place *

Author Bio

Brian J. Hudson is Adjunct Professor in the School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. His other books include Waterfalls of Jamaica (2001).