Drinking Water: A History

Name: Drinking Water: A History
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (97 reviews)
Author: James Salzman

by James Salzman

Nonfiction

4.4 (97)

4.4 stars from 97 reviews

$2.99Deal83% off peak

Last checked: Jun 30, 2026

Price history: $2.51 – $17.10

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Price range: $2.51 – $17.10

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Fans of these authors will like this...

Jared Diamond
Charles Fishman
Bill McKibben

Fans of these books will like this...

Guns, Germs, and Steel
The Big Thirst
Silent Spring

Perfect for you if...

You're curious about the hidden infrastructure that keeps modern life running and want to understand why water policy matters so much right now.
You care about environmental issues but get frustrated by doom-and-gloom narratives and prefer stories grounded in actual history and nuance.
You enjoyed books like Guns, Germs, and Steel or The Big Thirst and appreciate writers who can make technical subjects genuinely gripping.

Maybe not for you if...

You want a straightforward how-to guide on water conservation or home filtration systems.
You prefer narrative-driven storytelling over policy analysis and historical context.
You're looking for a quick polemic rather than a balanced examination of competing interests and approaches.

About this book

Drinking Water examines how environmentalists, governments, and market forces have approached water access throughout history. Most people give little thought to where their drinking water originates or how it travels from underground sources to their glass—a process far more complex than commonly assumed. In this revised edition, Duke University professor and environmental policy expert James Salzman explores how drinking water connects to the most pressing issues of contemporary life. The book includes updated examples of modern water consumption patterns and a new chapter addressing the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Through historical analysis and current case studies, Salzman demonstrates the intricate systems and decisions underlying what appears to be a simple resource.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$2.51 – $17.10

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 83% off peak. Price has dropped 40 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 35 days. Typically stays discounted for 6 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #884K in the Kindle store — a niche title.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.4★ from 97 reviews

Review activity has been quiet recently. Rating has remained stable at 4.4 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $17.10.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.