FINALIST, FOREWORD INDIES, 2002 Nature Book of the Year

BESTSELLER, San Francisco Chronicle Bay Area Books

BACK IN PRINT: Reading Water: Lessons from the River (second edition)

Embark on a literary journey like no other with Rebecca Lawton’s Reading Water. With insights from her life as a Grand Canyon river guide and her expertise as a fluvial geologist, Lawton's book will take you on a thrilling adventure that will leave you with a newfound love and appreciation for flowing water.

In Reading Water, you'll discover:
- Timeless lessons that rivers teach, captured through Lawton's personal experiences and expert knowledge
- The raw and beautiful nature of America's great rivers, including the Colorado of the Grand Canyon, the Rogue in Oregon, and the Stanislaus in California
- The emotional journey of love, betrayal, and redemption that river runners experience while navigating the wild waters
- An insider’s perspective of the complex hydrology of rivers, giving you a deeper understanding of these powerful natural wonders
- How the lessons learned from rivers apply to life in general, whether you're an avid boater or an armchair traveler.

Included in Reading Water:
- Personal anecdotes and adventures from Lawton's time as a top river guide
- Expert insights and knowledge from her many years of work as a fluvial geologist
- Beautiful descriptions and vivid imagery that will transport you to the heart of the river.

Don't miss out on this deeply observed journey through the wild waters of North America. Pick up Reading Water today and enjoy an unforgettable ride!

PRAISE FOR READING WATER

Reading Water is " . . . a seasoned depiction of the nomadic culture, empty canyons, and wild western rivers that define and haunt her. Honest in her assessment of the psychological costs of a gypsy life, artful in her understanding of currents and seasons, Lawton depicts the rivers taking away as well as giving . . . " — David James Duncan, author, The River Why and My Story as Told by Water

"Reading Water is both mirror and map, a reminder that a life can take the shape of the river itself—fierce and tender, restless and serene, asking us only for our unwavering fidelity to living, moving water." — Ellen Meloy, author, Eating Stone and The Anthropology of Turquoise

"Rebecca Lawton doesn't just read water, she understands it, speaks it, lives it, and loves it. The finely crafted chapters in Reading Water reflect the wisdom and sharply tuned senses that a life spent on the water can nurture. Lawton's book examines everything from the loss of her mother to marriage, friendship, and work through a shimmering, water lens that reveals remarkable depth." — Pamela Michael, cofounder of River of Words and The Gift of Rivers