Cadillac Desert

"Cadillac Desert" is a book by Marc Reisner that explores the complex history and challenges of water management in the arid American West, particularly focusing on California. It examines how government policies and large-scale infrastructure projects, like dams and aqueducts, were developed to provide water for agriculture and urban areas. The title refers to the irony of lavish water projects in a desert landscape, highlighting environmental and social consequences. Reisner critiques the unsustainable practices that have led to water scarcity, ecological damage, and debates about priorities in water use, making it a crucial read for understanding water issues today.