Period Of Water Issues In The History Of New York - Book Report/Review Example

Vivek Shivram Client, Academia-Research.com Book Review of "Water for Gotham: A History", by Gerard T. Koeppel 26th November, 2006 Water for Gotham:A History By Gerard T. Koeppel A Review In the book, Water for Gotham: A History, the author traces the long history of water deficiencies in the city of New York. He examines how the situation of water deficiency in New York was degrading and becoming worse day-by-day. A long, tantalizing and well-documented history from the troubled times of 1800, when New York was reeling under the cholera epidemic, to now, the author has done a really creditable job in this book. As mentioned just now, it is important to remember that the book is actually a carefully researched, analyzed and recorded history of the water problems of New York, from 1800 till today - which is definitely not a topic to be excited about. However, the author has not only succeeded in making the book a delightful read, he has filled the reader's mind with an infectious curiosity to know more and more, with each passing phase. A seemingly "drab" topic has been successfully converted into a captivating read, which is a creditable, wondrous achievement. This thesis, which the author puts forward, is very well-supported throughout the entire book. The author opens the book with a gory description of the Asiatic cholera which struck New York in 1800, leaving scores dead with each passing day. The author takes into account every single detail of the epidemic - including how it originated in India, how it spread to the west through trade routes, and how helpless doctors and authorities felt. The opening chapter of the book, which is "Give us Cold Water" deals with the epidemic itself. The chapter starts with the description of how a healthy family - the Fitzgeralds - who had emigrated from Canada to New York, succumbed to cholera and disappeared among the faceless, countless millions who had died, gasping for water, in a similar fashion. The author recounts many incidents in the book, some of which are his own personal anecdotes. Apart from those, the author also draws upon primary sources, such as the Cholera Bulletin, The Description of the Canals and railroads of the United States, and The Edinburgh Encyclopedia, among others. The author's extensive research is reflected in his vast bibliography, his steady flow of thoughts, and his step-by-step account of how New Yorkers were suffering at that time. After filling the reader's mind with an unimaginable New York, the author reveals the vitality of the situation. Manhattan was surrounded by Salty water on all sides, and there was not a drop of fresh water available to the residents. Such a difficult situation aggravated the situation even more, as New Yorkers could not access fresh, clean water - which is as essential for survival as a whiff of fresh air. It was in 1832, the author says, that cholera was first thought of as a possible waterborne disease. Doctors who were working overtime to grasp the situation now focused on the issue of fresh water and stressed the importance of hygiene. It was only then that New Yorkers realized the vital importance of the presence of fresh water, and devised upon ways to access the same. It may be worth mentioning here that the author has, apart from researching a very difficult topic, has done everything to make it exciting. The book has all the prerequisites of a novel - a scheming corporate monopoly, a suffering public, and the triumph of the public in the end - which makes the book an inspiring read as well. The author reveals, in due course, how the Manhattan Company, found in 1799 by Aaron Burr and other prominent New Yorkers, controlled the waterworks industry for an overwhelming forty years - and recounts how the public's suffering became aggravated due to its helplessness. The Manhattan Company, which owed its social responsibility, had to come up with solutions for the sorry situation. After many hiccups and problems - which are very well documented by the author - the Company came up with a solution to end water crisis - by bringing in the water from the Bronx River. The author shows how this proposal was always going to unsuccessful - due to its short-sightedness and inadequacy, making New Yorkers more and more angry and desperate. So, after the failure of the Manhattan Company's proposal to bring in Bronx water, it was essential to bring in another solution - but this time it had to be long-term, and of course fulfilling. But, owing to its strong hold on the waterworks industry, the Manhattan Company was not letting the public take charge - for obvious reasons. In an even more sorry state of affairs, the author shows how the people of New York rose against the Manhattan company and won in the end. After a financial investigation, instigated by the public, the hold of the Manhattan Company on the waterworks industry weakened, and the public triumphed in the end to pave way for the creation of the Croton Project, which was of course followed by many, many more. After a great victory for the public, the author shows in his chapter 8 "Catching the Croton Bug", how a satisfying solution was finally proposed and soon beginning to take shape - in the form of the Croton Aqueduct, a proposal to bring in water from the Croton River, and finally put an end to the overwhelming water crisis. The Croton Aqueduct was finally implemented in the year 1842 - led by Alderman Samuel Stevens, who was later credited with the success of the project. After this long history of water crisis, the author reflects upon the past, and compares the water projects of today with those of yesteryear. In his last chapter, "New York's water - then and now", the author makes a helpful and intellectual comparison between the waterworks projects of the two eras. The systematic approach of the author is clearly visible throughout the book. As mentioned in the very beginning, the author begins with a description of the cholera epidemic, moving on to the acuteness of the water crisis, and then dealing with the proposals introduced - first by the Manhattan Company, and later by the public, and finally ending with a comparison of the water projects of yesterday and today. This systematic approach, is in itself, persuasive - as it maintains a steady flow of fact, views and circumstance in the right proportion; and highly reliable - for the sources used by the author while writing this book are mostly primary and drawn up on some of his personal anecdotes as well. The research is immaculate and greatly satisfying - making the book a helpful source of information on the water crisis of New York. There are, however, two important negatives in the book. The first one is that the book does not define the equipments, structures and engineering designs - at least not enough to enlighten a layman. However, we may overlook that point by remembering one thing - the book is a well-researched history, not an engineering manual. Secondly, the author has ended the book abruptly - by providing a brief account of the preparation of the Croton Aqueduct and later another brief account of the implementation of other projects - namely the Catskill reservoir and others. A discussion on the legal, mechanical and social aspects of these projects would have been a great addition, making the book complete. In conclusion, the book scores on all counts. It is a creditable thesis by the author, which has been persuasively supported using myriad creditable sources. The author has made a dry topic a riveting read through a systematic approach. He has meticulously studied the developments of the proposed solution through these years, something very few have done. For all the author's hard work and painstaking research, the book promises to be a reliable source of information on topics concerning the water crisis of New York for all times to come. Seldom have writers painstakingly compiled such an important episode in the history of New York, and the author deserves all accolades and appreciation for a great piece of work. Reference: Koeppel, Gerard T.: Water for Gotham: A History (Princeton University press, 2000.) Read More