The Nile

Children's Literature

Without a doubt, the Nile River is even more essential to the lives of modern day people than it was hundreds upon thousands of years ago. Prepare to be dazzled by the depth and breadth of information about the world's longest river, including its physical attributes, its role in history, how it has been used and abused and what attempts have been made to remove some of the problems it encounters today. Fact boxes highlight bits of unusual information that add to the highly comprehensive text. The bibliography, or "works consulted" section near the end of this volume is fabulous, and will give readers desiring more information about this topic numerous resources. The only unfavorable aspect of this volume pertains to the less than scintillating black and white photography and graphics. An excellent choice for a research book. The author has written numerous nonfiction books for students in middle school. He has studied and traveled extensively and currently lives in Rancho Santa Fe, California with his daughter. Part of the "Rivers of the World" series that also includes the titles of The Amazon, The Ganges, The Mississippi and The Rhine. 2003, Lucent Books/The Gale Group,
— Cindy Carolan

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Two titles that cover many features and points of interest relating to these rivers. Barter stresses the two very distinct personalities of the Amazon, which flows normally for six months of the year and overflows its banks, inundating bordering lands as far as 20 miles in either direction, during the flood season. A brief history of this river and early native peoples who lived on its banks is included, as is a discussion of the exploitation of the Amazon, resulting in the decline of water quality and the disappearance of plant and animal life. The author concludes with a chapter on the cooperative efforts of the seven countries controlling this river to protect industry and the environment. The second book looks at the source of the Nile and its various tributaries, and explains its northward flow from the African wetlands to the desert. An overview of the flora, fauna, and geology of the region completes the general discussion. A description of the history of the Nile and the ancient Egyptians is particularly fascinating. The long-term problems caused by building dams, such as lower crop yield, poor water quality, loss of nutrients for the soil, and pollution, are addressed, as are new ideas to save the river. These detailed and informative offerings are well organized and have good-quality, black-and-white photos, reproductions, and maps that provide valuable points of reference and visual appeal.-Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.