The Secret Knowledge of Water

There Are Two Easy Ways to Die in the Desert: Thirst and Drowning

By: Craig Childs

Narrated by: Craig Childs

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Deserts are environments that can be inhospitable even to seasoned explorers. Craig Childs has spent years in the deserts of the American West, and his treks through arid lands in search of water reveal the natural world at its most extreme.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Craig Childs (P)2019 Hachette Audio

If You Ever Lived/Hiked The Desert Canyons.....

of Utah, Arizona, Nevada you will really enjoy this book. People often believe deserts are void of water, nothing could be farther from the truth. While the deserts receive less water than other geographical locations, its water comes in ways that have shaped the land for all of history. If you want to better understand the geography of the US desert SW you need to read this book. If you hike these desert canyons, it might even save your life. Enjoy....

The Last Book about the Desert

I grew up in this desert and entertained a flight of fancy that one day I would write a book about it, but now I never will because this book was already written and nothing I could come up with would ever be as good or as complete. If you are a desert person (a desert rat, if you will), you know. This author knows and you've gotta let him tell you. This writing will take you to church.

Stunning

I read the print hardcover back when it was first published and thought then that it was one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I absolutely love the prose and the poetry of Mr. Childs`s descriptive writing, And this book has real suspense and consequence in its very pages.
I recently ordered the Audible version to revisit the desert wonderland and I found the experience truly remarkable. I love this book, The desert has not been written about with such passion since Abbey introduced us to Arches N.P.and the Cabeza Prieta in Desert Solitaire, or as Luis Alberto Urrea did in The Devils Highway.
The Secret Knowledge of Water stands as the very finest example of descriptive writing about the desert southwest and will remain in my heart forever.
Thank You Mr. Childs for this Masterpiece.

Astonishing, Start to Finish

I wasn't sure what to expect, but wow! This book is a satisfying, mystifying, masterful combination of excellent research, remarkable history, personal adventure, and surprisingly good narration. There is so much good and valuable information here, contained in such a fascinating story. You will many times agree that the author may, in fact, be crazy, but it ends up being simple but unrelenting devotion to how water controls the American deserts. It made me want to go see for myself, but I don't have the fortitude.

One of those books that left an indelible impression

I had read and loved this book many years ago. I was mesmerized by it then , even returning to reread it. I have also read/reread House of Rain and Finders Keepers, by Craig Childs. I appreciate his passion and personal perspective that he brings to his writing. I too love the Southwest and am a history /archeology /science nerd, so this is right up my alley. I was pleased to find The Secret Knowledge of Water in Audible. With Craig Childs reading his own lusciously descriptive prose you can feel his love of his subject. He is intoxicated by the mystery and power of water and his buzz is contagious. Sometimes it’s a love story, sometimes a rip roaring edge of your seat adventure, sometimes a science lesson. I like that each chapter stands alone? And you don’t have a plot, per se, to follow. Sometimes I will just randomly listen to a chapter or two and get lost in his journey. His voice is soothing but compelling, relaxing but not sonorous. Perfect for when I have a migraine and can’t read or watch TV and need something to steady and calm my mind and head. I just finished the audiobook in its entirety for the second time. I will go back to the Water again and again. I highly recommend this book. One that has changed the way I perceive the world.

brilliant work

Just brilliant and fascinating! Nature is always presenting more as we can imagine. Love your book!

Very interesting

I have never given so much thought to water, especially in a desert. Thank you for shedding so much light. I have learned a thing or two by reading this interesting book

Amazing insight

There is so much more to water. This book is very thought provoking on the power of water in both life and death

Like a nature walk through Dune

Long live the dry land ecologists. This is a wonderful narrative of the deserts in the American southwest. Highly worth the sale price paid for it. Big fan of the author's other work too.

Craig Childs rocks

I first discovered this book when it came out and was lucky enough to meet him and hear him read selections from it. It is worth your time as it is well written, researched and performed. He is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.