Books

Rivers for Life (co-authored with Brian Richter), Island Press, 2003.

Postel and Richter provide a compelling case for new approaches to preserve and restore natural river flows — the patterns of flow that freshwater species depend upon and that provide valuable ecosystem services. Rivers for Life is the first book to synthesize the science and policy of river flow management. It provides a rich collection of ideas, case studies, and examples of how to reform the use and management of rivers for the greater social good.

"...a clarion call to society for the need to balance human demands with the needs of our world’s rivers, the arterial system of life on this planet." — Mike Dombeck, Chief Emeritus of the U.S. Forest Service

"If you read one book on river ecology and management this year, Postel and Richter's should be it." — Conservation in Practice

"...very well written, scientifically sound, and compelling in its message. A must read for all readers, but especially for those involved in water resources, hydrology, and ecosystem management. SUMMING UP: Essential. All levels." — Choice, March 2004

Learn more about Rivers for Life at:

http://www.islandpress.org/books/detail.html?SKU=1-55963-444-8

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1559634448/102-5571073-0473718?v=glance

Pillar of Sand: Can the Irrigation Miracle Last?, W.W. Norton, 1999

Irrigation has been a powerful tool of human advancement for 6,000 years. In Pillar of Sand, author Sandra Postel examines the challenges to our modern irrigation society - from mounting water scarcity and salinization of soils to rising tensions between countries over shared rivers. She shows how innovative technologies and strategies can improve irrigation’s sustainability and alleviate hunger and environmental stress at the same time.

"Postel gives a lucid and authoritative account of humanity’s dwindling supply of fresh water and what to do about the shortage before it causes dangerous social and economic problems worldwide." — E. O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize winner and renowned Harvard biologist, in selecting Pillar of Sand as one of his three favorite books of the year for the Washington Post (Dec 2000).

Postel’s Pillar of Sand "has a global focus that...gives her a perspective that is almost breathtaking." — Molly Ivins, syndicated columnist

To date, Pillar of Sand has been selected for course use at more than 130 colleges and universities.

Learn more about Pillar of Sand at:

http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring99/pillar.htm

http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/books/14

Last Oasis (W.W. Norton, 1992, revised 1997)

*Selected by Choice magazine as a 1993 Outstanding Academic Book.

Appearing in eight languages and the basis for a 1997 PBS documentary, Last Oasis frames the many dimensions of the world’s water challenges and demonstrates how conservation and efficiency improvements can meet new water needs at lower economic and environmental costs than traditional supply projects. These measures constitute our "last oasis" - and they have barely been tapped. Postel calls for a water ethic that places the preservation of freshwater ecosystems at the heart of water management.

"Last Oasis is the call to arms most often cited by others in the field." — Marq de Villiers, author of Water

Learn more about Last Oasis at:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393317447/104-9378762-8674312?v=glance

http://www.wwnorton.com

http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/books/4

The PBS documentary, Last Oasis, produced and directed by Linda Harrar, is program four in the Cadillac Desert series, and is available through Amazon.com.