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Let There Be Water: Israel's Solution for a Water-Starved World Paperback – April 25, 2017
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New York Times and Los Angeles Times Bestseller!
As every day brings urgent reports of growing water shortages around the world, there is no time to lose in the search for solutions.
The U.S. government predicts that forty of our fifty states-and 60 percent of the earth's land surface-will soon face alarming gaps between available water and the growing demand for it. Without action, food prices will rise, economic growth will slow, and political instability is likely to follow.
Let There Be Water illustrates how Israel can serve as a model for the United States and countries everywhere by showing how to blunt the worst of the coming water calamities. Even with 60 percent of its country made of desert, Israel has not only solved its water problem; it also had an abundance of water. Israel even supplies water to its neighbors-the Palestinians and the Kingdom of Jordan-every day.
Based on meticulous research and hundreds of interviews, Let There Be Water reveals the methods and techniques of the often offbeat inventors who enabled Israel to lead the world in cutting-edge water technology.
Let There Be Water also tells unknown stories of how cooperation on water systems can forge diplomatic ties and promote unity. Remarkably, not long ago, now-hostile Iran relied on Israel to manage its water systems, and access to Israel's water know-how helped to warm China's frosty relations with Israel.
Beautifully written, Seth M. Siegel's Let There Be Water is and inspiring account of the vision and sacrifice by a nation and people that have long made water security a top priority. Despite scant natural water resources, a rapidly growing population and economy, and often hostile neighbors, Israel has consistently jumped ahead of the water innovation-curve to assure a dynamic, vital future for itself. Every town, every country, and every reader can benefit from learning what Israel did to overcome daunting challenges and transform itself from a parched land into a water superpower.
- Print length384 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherA Thomas Dunne Book for St. Martin's Griffin
- Publication dateApril 25, 2017
- Dimensions6.15 x 1 x 9.2 inches
- ISBN-101250115566
- ISBN-13978-1250115560
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Insightful...an instructive reminder that climate and geography don’t control a state’s destiny. Nature, as it turns out, is not as important as government nurture." ―The Wall Street Journal
“A must-read that is both fascinating and informative. “ ―San Francisco Chronicle
“With global water shortages generating political, military and humanitarian crises across the globe, Israel's astonishing ingenuity for wresting abundance from drought is an inspiring and instructive blueprint for the planet.” ―Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
“If you are worried about global water shortages-and you should be-read this book. Seth Siegel brings an urgent message of how the world can save itself using remarkable techniques and technology developed in Israel. Let There Be Water is essential reading. I highly recommend it.” ―Michael Bloomberg
“A really interesting account of the possibilities for technology to solve one of the greatest and underestimated challenges of our age.” ―Tony Blair
“Water scarcity is one of the most urgent threats to our economy and society. In Let There Be Water, Seth Siegel explores the crisis through the lens of a solution, telling the powerful story of how the people of Israel came together to overcome their water problems, so that the rest of the world can learn from their example and get ahead of the looming crisis.” ―Arianna Huffington
"Brilliant." ―Bret Stephens, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
“This extraordinary work will long be read by people grappling with water shortages and other seemingly insurmountable challenges.” ―Shimon Peres, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former president of Israel
“From the arid front lines of the freshwater scarcity crisis, Siegel provides an eye-opening account how Israel turned adversity into opportunity to become an innovative pioneer in the global quest for a new water paradigm.” ―Steven Solomon, author, WATER: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization
“Let There Be Water is an essential look at the unknown story of how Israel has avoided the coming global water crisis despite being mostly desert. Through smart policies, conservation, technology and a new water-focused export industry, this book shares water-independent Israel's lessons that every interested citizen and country needs to know.” ―Dan Senor, co-author of the New York Times bestseller Start-Up Nation
“Let There Be Water is the expertly and movingly told story of how Israeli specialists and NGOs greatly helped many Africans gain access to clean water. Seth Siegel shows how Israel uses its water skills both to help developing nations and as a tool of diplomacy. We all have so much to learn from this superb book.” ―Ruhakana Rugunda, Prime Minister of Uganda
“Fascinating account....A major contribution to this hotly debated issue and to broader questions of environmental policy.” ―Kirkus Reviews (starred)
“With current drought conditions across Western North America, this hard-won water wisdom should be of interest to concerned readers.” ―Library Journal
"A fascinating and detailed study that intertwines history, politics, technology and sociology, addressing a subject that is crucial to every living person."―Bloomberg.com, "Favorite Summer Reads" roundup
"Let There Be Water is an important work of non-fiction, a story that needs to be told. There are lessons in here for everyone." ―Former U.S. Senator Mark L. Pryor
“In the last 50 years, one place has taken water scarcity and turned it into water abundance―Israel. The Israelis did it with science, skill, and by thinking 50 years ahead. Seth M. Siegel’s book Let There Be Waterpieces together the surprising story of how Israel made itself into a ‘water superpower’ with clarity, with verve, and most important, with a sense of hope for everyone else facing water problems.” ―Charles Fishman, New York Times bestselling author of The Big Thirst: The secret life & turbulent future of water
“Capturing Israel’s revolution from thirsting wasteland to thriving wellspring, Seth M. Siegel meticulously traces a fledgling nation’s quest to emerge as an international “water superpower,” in his new book Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water- Starved World.” ―The Jerusalem Post
“Lively, informative new book.” ―The Jewish Week
“Israel’s determination to create water security is a half-century-long lesson in the liberating economic power of smart water, and a vivid illustration that scarcity doesn’t need to lead to deprivation. It can often drive exactly the opposite: innovation and even abundance.” ―Strategy + Business
“Israel’s determination to create water security is a half-century-long lesson in the liberating economic power of smart water, and a vivid illustration that scarcity doesn’t need to lead to deprivation. It can often drive exactly the opposite: innovation and even abundance.” ―American Associates, Ben-Gurion University’ Impact magazine
“This excellent, well-researched book enumerates the numerous 'bullets' Israel fired in its successful quest for water independence. Additionally, it offers the lessons learned in Israel as models for the world as climate change and population growth continue to stress the global supply of fresh water.” ―San Diego Jewish Book World
“A fact-filled and wholly fascinating account of the Jewish homeland’s ways with water.” ―Jewish Journal.com
"This smart, engaging, and extremely feel-good book tells one of the stories that best illustrates how Israel consistently turns crises into opportunities and challenges into victories...Siegel’s accessible handling of technological issues, his focus on key individuals inside and outside of government, and his boundless enthusiasm for Israel’s accomplishments and international leadership make Let There Be Water a highly appealing read." ―Jewish Book Council
"A great read that addresses our water challenge." ―George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner
"Let There Be Water will change the way you think about Israel. Don’t miss it." ―Lloyd Goldman, American Associates Ben-Gurion University of the Negev President
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : A Thomas Dunne Book for St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (April 25, 2017)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 384 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1250115566
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250115560
- Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.15 x 1 x 9.2 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #365,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #56 in Water Quality & Treatment
- #74 in Water Supply & Land Use (Books)
- #795 in Environmentalism
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
![Seth M. Siegel](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91p-fgNB4OL._SY600_.jpg)
Seth M. Siegel is a businessman, activist and writer. His essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times and other publications around the world on business, political and cultural issues. Siegel has often appeared on television and has been widely quoted in major print media. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
For more information visit www.sethmsiegel.com.
Connect with Seth on Twitter @SethMSiegel.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and engaging, providing essential teachings on water conservation. They describe it as a well-researched and well-written report on how Israel has solved water scarcity issues. The writing style is described as excellent. Readers appreciate the report's focus on water conservation methods and philosophy in Israel.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book informative and engaging. They say it's well-researched and offers essential teachings on how to live with water. The book is an excellent guide for areas in the world with water issues.
"...was how Israel nationalized water resources while implementing incentives for efficient use and applying free market based pricing and competition..." Read more
"...to feel good about how Israel and its inventions have saved many millions of people world-wide and improved lives in Africa and elsewhere through..." Read more
"...Writing is simple and the science is fascinating and not too technical." Read more
"...The story as expertly told in Seth Siegel’s well researched and page turner book is a most fascinating, must read...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe it as a well-written, interesting read that teaches correct principles. The writing is based on science, common sense, and sensitivity. Readers consider it an important and valuable book that should be read by all public officials in the U.S.
"...The book had an extensive bibliography, interview list, notes and an index, which I find quite helpful and useful for serious discussion or..." Read more
"This book Will be important for any reader wanting to feel good about how Israel and its inventions have saved many millions of people world-wide..." Read more
"...Writing is simple and the science is fascinating and not too technical." Read more
"...Siegel’s well researched and page turner book is a most fascinating, must read. It is guaranteed to make anyone who loves Israel smile ear to ear...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's water conservation methods and philosophy in Israel. They find it fascinating how Israel has solved water scarcity issues and provided water for drinking and agriculture. The book is described as an excellent guide for water use.
"...Israel has a water respecting culture, it built a national water carrier infrastructure including the National Water Carrier, it invented new forms..." Read more
"...lives in Africa and elsewhere through desalination of water and drip agriculture...." Read more
"...There is discussion of the science of water conservation and the political considerations of the Palestinians, nearby countries..." Read more
"...This book is an excellent read and will open your eyes to water conservation, your own wasteful habits and how to think about using this precious..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2015The world is facing growing freshwater challenges. The world population is growing and it is using more resources and water, climate change / global warming is making droughts worse and reducing access to freshwater and various forms of pollution is also making things worse. A global water crisis is looming. However, Israel faced great freshwater challenges already at its founding and it has built up know-how and developed technology to deal with freshwater challenges. This book is an overview of the various approaches that Israel has taken to ensure its access to water.
There are many aspects to how Israel deals with its water challenges. Israel has a water respecting culture, it built a national water carrier infrastructure including the National Water Carrier, it invented new forms of irrigation (drip irrigation), it invented methods for efficient reuse and cleaning of water, and even new efficient and cheap forms of desalination. The last part of the book discusses how Israel’s water technology could be used elsewhere in the world and how it already has been used elsewhere. I get the impression that Israel’s know-how might become very important to the rest of us in the near future.
One thing I noticed was how Israel nationalized water resources while implementing incentives for efficient use and applying free market based pricing and competition between contractors. Ideology often dictates that you’ve got to do one or the other, but a smart mix of communitarian approaches and free market approaches might be what is optimal. In Europe and the US we tend to waste water because it is free or not priced appropriately. As a side note I would like to mention Sweden’s success in recycling 99% of all its waste and having low carbon emissions, which I also think might be worth a discussion considering the environmentally challenging times ahead of us (sorry I had to bring that up, I am Swedish).
I should say I received a pre-release copy of this book for free, but I also bought the actual release copy (hard copy) from Amazon. The pre-release copy was missing the maps and photos/pictures and some other details. I found the pictures and their descriptions to be quite fun to look at. The book had an extensive bibliography, interview list, notes and an index, which I find quite helpful and useful for serious discussion or academia.
Overall the book was well organized and well written and packed with interesting information. The format of the book was somewhat academic but I personally do not mind that and it was not difficult to read. Maybe it was a tad dry at times but overall I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2024This book Will be important for any reader wanting to feel good about how Israel and its inventions have saved many millions of people world-wide and improved lives in Africa and elsewhere through desalination of water and drip agriculture. Note the well-known international leaders who wrote recommendations on covers!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2017A year ago I heard Seth M. Siegel speak at a Jewish National Fund brunch in Boca Raton, FL. I read his book and found it fascinating. He tells the story of Israel's history from before its becoming a nation until the present with respect to dealing with its water needs.The land of Israel has always had water as one of its principal challenges, since it is basically a desert land. The book follows its handling of this issue with respect to water needed for irrigation and drinking. Special commissions in the government were created with the strict purpose of improving the conservation of water and development of the country's water resources, its rivers, lakes and seas. There is discussion of the science of water conservation and the political considerations of the Palestinians, nearby countries (i.e. Jordan, Syria, Egypt). The last part of the book relates the development of desalinization plants near the Mediterranean Sea. Israel has been generous to other countries with their discoveries, even those that constantly vote against them when votes come up in the United Nations (i.e. China). Writing is simple and the science is fascinating and not too technical.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2015The very words.. water.. Israel… trigger associations with drought.. shortage.. crisis.. One would never imagine a book on water policy in Israel as a riveting and inspiring read. Yet, Seth Siegel’s new book ‘Let There be Water’ tells a totally unexpected and most fascinating story of inspiration. One which even those of us knowledgeable on all things Israel seemed to have somehow missed.
Over the past decade, 70 years of innovation and development in a multitude of water related fields have all come together to turn Israel into a water super power. Despite the fact that rainfall in Israel today is half of what it was when the state was founded, while its population has grown tenfold, Israel has learned not only to produce more than enough water for its own needs, but to also become a net water exporter for the region. In the process, systems were developed to cheaply turn seawater into drinking water, turn sprawling cities into sources of irrigation water, with 85% of all sewage recycled into a safe and valuable resource for farming. These advances combined with state of the art water conservation, rainmaking cloud seeding technologies, mind blowing seed cultivation and drip irrigation advances - which promise to turn the deserts of the world into ideal environments to grow food - all come together in a comprehensive solution for providing the basic necessities of life; water and food - not just for Israel but for billions of people around the world.
Already Israel’s solutions are being eagerly adopted by a multitude of nations around the world, which will result in countless millions of people being lifted out of poverty and being provided with access to clean drinking water and food. All this will make a massive impact both on Israel’s position in its volatile region and in its role in the world. The story as expertly told in Seth Siegel’s well researched and page turner book is a most fascinating, must read. It is guaranteed to make anyone who loves Israel smile ear to ear. In an age of growing anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli sentiment, it is also a story which must be shared with anyone and everyone who would listen.
Top reviews from other countries
- Jack BogdonovReviewed in Canada on September 18, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Interested in local areas with inadequate water supplies.
- Cliente KindleReviewed in Brazil on August 1, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Imprescindível
Excelente
-
E. RomeroReviewed in Mexico on January 20, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars No es lo que esperaba, pero es bastante interesante
Hasta ahora es un libro que habla mucho de las políticas de agua de Israel. Buscaba complementar información sobre las plantas de tratamiento o de las tecnologías existentes, sin embargo es una lectura bastante interesante para los que estudian Ingeniería Sanitaria. Muy recomendado
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in India on August 4, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Good book
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars As inspiring as it is informative
That Israel has enjoyed remarkable success in the water department is not a secret, but what is much less understood are the reasons why. People speak of a 'water miracle', which is intended to convey the remarkable nature of Israel's water situation, but it can give the impression that it was mostly good fortune. What this incredible book explains to convincingly is that Israel's water abundance is due to clearly discernible measures that were courageously taken at key moment in Israel's development. The most important implication is that other countries that are struggling with water shortages can learn from what has taken place in Israel, rather than assume they are in a helpless situation. In addition to a great historical narrative, and a very solid exposition of the technical, technological and social aspects of Israel's water policy, it is also a book about hope. As pressing as is the water challenge for many countries, they solutions are available and have been proven to work. Quite a few people get a deserved pat on the back in Siegel's book for their unique contribution to solving Israel's water challenges, but perhaps more importantly it gives a tap on the shoulder to policy makers in water starved countries the world over: If Israel can do it, why can't you? This book is therefore as inspiring as it is informative; what more can a person ask for in a book?