At the Base of the Giant's Throat: The Past and Future of America's Great Dams.

"At the Base of the Giant's Throat: The Past and Future of America's Great Dams" by Anthony Palumbi explores the history of dam building in the United States and its implications for the country's water infrastructure. The book highlights the catastrophic 1889 flood in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, which led to the government taking responsibility for large-scale water engineering projects. Palumbi argues that the construction of dams in the US was driven by questionable reasoning and is now facing the challenge of aging infrastructure. The book calls for a reimagining of the water system and emphasizes the need for public action, as demonstrated by the Green New Deal. While the book tends to favor individual agency in explaining historical events, it provides a comprehensive overview of key projects, challenges, and the impending decisions that will shape the future of US water infrastructure. [Extracted from the article]