I was drawn to this book as the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers are so iconic throughout the Riverina.
I was expecting a dry non-fiction read and I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster I was about to go on.
Chris has done a fantastic job of making the reader feel immersed in the river landscape – from his detailed descriptions to his ability to convey the spirit of the communities he visited along the rivers. I found it to be very sad in parts and then enlightening in others. I feel that the plight of farmers along the river is not well understood by the general public and this book highlights the need for a holistic approach to water management.
Chris does a great job of highlighting differing opinions on water allocations between the politicians in Canberra and the farmers on the front line.
Written back in 2010, he emphasizes damage caused by climate change. It makes me wonder what state the river is in now and what the future holds for Australia’s largest water catchment.
-Tiphanie, Henty Library
