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John McPhee

The Control of Nature

"The Control of Nature" by John McPhee is a fascinating exploration of humanity's attempts to control nature in the face of natural disasters. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different location and a different aspect of nature that humans are trying to control. In the first part, "Los Angeles Against the Mountains," McPhee examines the efforts of the city of Los Angeles to prevent mudslides and debris flows from destroying homes and taking lives in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The chapter weaves together the history of the city, the geology of the mountains, and the engineering feats necessary to divert the flow of water and debris away from populated areas. The second part, "Atchafalaya," takes readers to the bayous of Louisiana, where the Army Corps of Engineers is engaged in a never-ending battle to prevent the Atchafalaya River from changing its course and bypassing the Mississippi River. McPhee delves into the complex system of levees, locks, and dams that have been built to control the flow of water and sediment, and the consequences of these efforts for the people and wildlife of the region. The final part, "The Graves of the Tscacoima," brings readers to Venezuela, where a series of dams have been built to generate hydroelectric power, but at a great cost to the environment and the people who live in the region. McPhee examines the trade-offs between economic development and environmental protection, and the human cost of these decisions. Throughout the book, McPhee raises important questions about the limits of human control over nature, and the unintended consequences of our efforts to manage the natural world. He also highlights the heroic efforts of engineers, scientists, and ordinary people who work to protect their communities from natural disasters. "The Control of Nature" is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental issues, engineering, and the human relationship with the natural world...