This important book tells the multifaceted story of humankind's relationship with flooding, a story that is permeated with a history of both worship and fear. Modern water engineering has turned plains and valleys into fully inhabitable environments. At the same time, those environments have become highly vulnerable to climate change. In efforts to prevent future floods, countries are rediscovering adaptation strategies: making room for flooding, redistributing risks and reconsidering the use and legal status of floodplains.
