Tag Archive for: Robert Macfarlane

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Is A River Alive? | Robert Macfarlane

 

At its heart is a single, transformative idea: that rivers are not mere matter for human use, but living beings – who should be recognized as such in both imagination and law. Is a River Alive? takes the reader on an exhilarating exploration of the past, present and futures of this ancient, urgent concept.

The book flows first to northern Ecuador, where a miraculous cloud-forest and its rivers are threatened by gold mining. Then, to the wounded rivers, creeks and lagoons of southern India, where a desperate battle to save the lives of these waterbodies is under way. And finally, to north-eastern Quebec, where a spectacular wild river – the Mutehekau or Magpie – is being defended from death by damming in a river-rights campaign.

At once Macfarlane’s most personal and most political book to date, Is a River Alive? will open hearts, spark debates and lead us to the revelation that our fate flows with that of rivers – and always has.

The Lost Words, A Spell Book | Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris

‘Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children. They dissappeared so quietly that at first almost no-one noticed – until one day, they were gone.’

This book began as a response to the removal of everyday nature words – among them acorn, bluebell, kingfisher and wren – from a widely used children’s dictionary, because those words were not being used enough by children to merit inclusion. Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris set upon a mission to bring back these lost words. This gorgeously illustrated ‘book of spells’ seeks to conjure back the near-lost magic and strangeness of the nature that surrounds us. Adults will love this book as much as children.