Without being preachy, Tony Johnston reminds us that sometimes it takes a shift in perspective to recognize our treasures. Uri Shulevitz did this with THE TREASURE, another book of great loveliness. Children may respond even more to this universal lesson through reading Johnston's book, which is rooted in the life of one young Japanese American boy learning to love and appreciate his grandfather. The details in this book are so lovingly, tenderly included, and Barry Root's watercolor/gouache illustrations complement Johnston's spare, lyrical prose beautifully. This exquisite book goes beyond the 4 to 8 crowd. It touched the hearts of all my family - teenager included. I've yet to read it without feeling tears -- or wanting to kick off my shoes. You'll have to read FISHING SUNDAY to find out what that means

The author has hit the bullseye with the young reader. They are caught up in the adventure from the first paragraph. They can identify with young Jack and the little dog he found and was able to help save. I reccomend the book and the author!

Being a Children's Librarian, I can recommend this book for children of all ages. When Jack and Flick visit Jack's cousin, they find many adventures waiting for them. Flick is a "wonder-dog" in every sense--he has overcome so many odds but yet is still so spirited and playful. The boy-dog relationship is a time tested one, and this story proves that with faith and love that we call can make this world a better place. Ms. Wright has given all of us "children" a book that can be read aloud or by oneself, but will continue to be read over and over again. It's great to have a book that I can recommend to children and parents and not worry whether they will enjoy it or not. All of Ms. Wright's books that I recommend to parents and children have been well received. The children beg for more, and the parents are thankful for their children reading. The characters are believable--Jack is a typical boy and Flick would be a wonderful dog for anyone to have. This is truly a book that children will love--it has horses, dogs, children and lots of excitement. This book is one that will be read over again and again

This witty and wide-ranging book looks at the geographical, religious, cultural, legal and above all political aspects of water in the Middle East. It's a brilliant and wide-ranging explanation of why national water insecurity is simply not recognised there. And Allan argues that it does not, in fact, exist: although the area has run out of water, it imports it invisibly in the form of grain - a rescue system which cannot, for domestic political reasons, be acknowledged. Along the way he exposes the arrogance of western water experts who think they can solve water problems in developing countries by advocating economic rationalism without taking account of the history and politics of the countries they advise (or the economic irrationality of their own nations). Little wonder that their solutions are not adopted by local power elites who think they are self-serving and ill-informed. Water is a contentious issue, says Allan, but only one part of the larger political relationships between countries. It will be the subject of dispute when that is politically expedient, but has hardly ever been in the past, and will be even less so in the future, a sufficient cause for war. This book puts all the "water wars" books into the shade. Its sophistication shows up the superficiality of narrow analyses that don't take account of global influences on local situations. It recognises that facts are what the powerful choose to see. Allan argues that, as countries develop socio-economically, they will be able to make policy changes that will make more efficient and effective use of water, as Israel already has. Only when an economy is strong and diverse can it support re-allocation of water from agriculture. He thinks there will be enough water to sustain the growing world population - and he has an entertaining and erudite analysis to convince the reader he's right.

Blue Gold succeeds at correlating the issue of dwindling fresh water supplies with the increasing power of multinational corporations. The book also suggests what needs to be done to secure a water-rich future for the world.

Barlow and Clarke begin their analysis by discussing the shortcomings of many publicly-owned water systems, where the use of science and technology have overwhelmed the carrying capacity of the earth. The author's description of Mexico City literally sinking into the ground as underground water supplies are pumped to exhaustion is frightening.

But private ownership of water will not rectify the situation. If the corporations' purpose is to serve shareholder interests, the authors argue, how can anyone suppose that water resources will be managed sustainably or equitably by them? Indeed, the book provides many examples of corporate projects that threaten to deplete local fresh water supplies in order to provide (short-lived) profits for investors.

Yet, Barlow and Clarke show that schemes to transfer control to corporations are often promoted by the World Bank and other institutions that champion multinational capital investments. This should not be too surprising, as water infrastructures are not unlike other publicly-held assets that have become favorite targets of the investment community (disguised under the banner of "deregulation") in recent years.

While making a compelling case that growing corporate influence can only make a bad situation worse, the authors spend several chapters discussing how people can begin to constructively address the situation and turn it around for the better. These sections in particular are thoughtful and are obviously written by persons who have spent a great amount of time on this issue. Far from being merely a "screed" (as the reviewer from the pro-business Cahner's reviews claimed), I found the author's thoughts in these later chapters to be mature, balanced, and humane. Water, as a necessity for life, might indeed be the one issue that unites people around issues of social, economic and environmental justice.

I highly recommend this book for readers interested in learning more about an issue that will undoubtedly become increasingly important in the future.

Blue Gold is extremely easy reading replete with abundant data and reasons why private corporations should not be allowed to provide public services. While there is no doubt that private enterprise has failed in some cases and has been guilty of unseemly business practices, the authors completely ignore the dismal failure and inability of government to develop and manage water supplies. Santa Fe, New Mexico, for example, convinced their citizens that the Sangre de Cristo water company was poorly run and the water was too expensive. Since they took it over, service has been downhill and costs have been uphill. Readers are urged to use google to determine the Santa Fe water woes. The book provides a specious look at the Walkerton, Ontario affair, a publicly run water system, by saying the E. Coli outbreak was the fault of a private laboratory because they only reported what the government required. Other examples of poorly run public systems are too numerous to mention including Dar es Salam, Nairobi, Cochabamba and many others.

The book is a pleasant and informative read but must be read with the understanding that the authors are completely opposed to any private involvement in the production and distribution of water. They make the mistake of equating the operation of a water system with the ownership of the resource. They make the mistake or would like the reader to believe that the cost of water is actually the cost of water. It is not. When we refer to the cost of water it is really the annualized amortation of the capital infrastructure cost and the annual operation and maintenance cost. There are very few situations where the water is sold as a resources, San Diego, El Paso, and San Antonio being a few recent examples. So to say water is like oil is misdirection.

The authors also would lead readers to believe that bottled water is bad. In actual fact, bottling companies are held to the same standard as municipal systems for water quality.

The authors are strongly opposed to the bulk water export from Canada or from anywhere else. Those who propose such schemes could not make their proposals unless there were an uneven distribution of water on earth and their proposals are sometimes received favorably by governments such as Israel in their proposal to temporarily import 50 million cubic meters for 10 years until their desalination plants are up and running.

Blue Gold's a book to let you know more about where your water in America is going. Can we stop this theft of our most valuable resource. A study reports huge corporations seeking control of the world's water supply. These involve giant European corporations in collaboration with the World Bank. Together increasingly taking control of public water supplies with tragic results. a report 'The Water Barons' says that by 2002 private water companies were operating in 56 countries and 2 territories. This rose from a dozen in 1990. Companies that are expanding control are Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux and Vivendi Environment of France, Thomas Water by RWEAG of Germany, Suar of France and United Utilities of England working with Bechtel Co. of the United States. All of these have worked closely with the World Bank. They lobby aggressively for legislation and trade laws to require cities to privatize their water. A recent update is that these companies continue in their acquisition to control water companies in the Northeastern U.S. region.

In major cities around the world, they persuade governments to sign long-term contracts with major private water companies. The concern, is that a handful of private companies could soon control a tremendous bulk of the world's most vital resource. Are water barons providing a good product? One certain city in the U.S. cancelled it's water contract because of complaints of poor service and unsanitary water conditions. In other countries and poorer countries were unable to pay huge water bills were forced to drink from disease-ridden lakes and streams resulting the spread of deadly epidemic outbreaks such as chlorea. In regions of the U.S. where ground water isn't enough to support domestic and fire protection water needs. It's necessary to develop alternative sources of water. The water crisis is worldwide. Many countries are facing a severe shortage. Some will run out of water by the year 2011. Can we find alternative ways to conserve our greatest resource. And, in the meantime can we stop the railroading of public water to greedy giant corporate barons. This book is a eye-opener. Another good reading on this subject is, 'Cadillac Desert.'