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Publisher: British Wildlife Publishing, Oxford

Publication Year: 2014

Binding: Hardback

Page Count: 432

ISBN Number: 978-0-95649-025-4

Price: £ 35.00

Rivers

With the exception of perhaps three books it is surprising that there have been no other authoritative works on rivers since 1951, when Life in Lakes and Rivers (New Naturalists’) was published. This latest offering therefore is not only very welcome but also very timely because, of course, rivers have become big news once more – though perhaps for the wrong reasons! We are reminded by the authors, Nigel Holmes and Paul Raven, that, historically, rivers are not particularly forgiving when it comes to flooding and the problems this can cause mankind. Of course rivers are also an invaluable resource and the book highlights the fact that they have always played a major role in our culture, both economically and socially.

This very attractive fact-filled and beautifully illustrated book, by two widely respected river ecologists, describes the natural and not-so-natural changes to our rivers since the last ice age and brings us right up to date by citing some of the contentious issues relating to flood control and how rivers might be better managed and cared for now and in the future. It includes chapters on the many plants, amphibians, fish, birds and other animals that live in, on or alongside our rivers and there are excellent, in depth, case studies of three very different rivers – the Meon, Dee and Endrick.

If, like me, you remember the ‘improved’ managed rivers of the 1970s and 80s with their wildlife-deleted sterile banks, and straightened courses, and then the subsequent and celebrated reversal of these management policies to one much more akin to their natural form, then this book will not only take you back to those dark and dismal days but it will most certainly also uplift and leave you in a positive frame of mind – because our rivers, on the whole, are now in a much better state than they were 40 years ago! 

Book reviewed by Jeff Baker

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