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

Naturalist Craig Childs's "utterly memorable and fantastic" study of the desert's dangerous beauty is based on years of adventures in the deserts of the American West (Washington Post).

Like the highest mountain peaks, deserts are environments that can be inhospitable even to the most seasoned explorers. Craig Childs, who has spent years in the deserts of the American West as an adventurer, a river guide, and a field instructor in natural history, has developed a keen appreciation for these forbidding landscapes: their beauty, their wonder, and especially their paradoxes. His extraordinary treks through arid lands in search of water are an astonishing revelation of the natural world at its most extreme.

"Utterly memorable and fantastic...Certainly no reader will ever see the desert in the same way again." —Suzannah Lessard, Washington Post

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 passion of the Desert.

Fantastic telling of water. Life, death and rebirth. Thank you. You know how to tell a story…
Please write again, soon.

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.

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.