The one with the comedy dog
The Surge is a trenchant analysis of the destructive power of water, a clarion call for recognising imminent dangers, and a panoramic narrative of human catastrophe and hubris. Some passages present as a cross between J G Ballard and John Wyndham. Others are sweeping and inspirational. The book is a gripping account of humanity’s battle against rising waters, from the draining of the fens in the time of King Charles the First, to the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina only a few years ago.
As alarming as it all sounds, Jeevan Vasagar also describes inspiring feats of engineering, and imaginative new responses from around the world.
Jeevan Vasagar is Climate Editor of The Observer – for our international listeners, that is the left of centre Sunday broadsheet newspaper. Yes, we still have them. He was kind enough to welcome The Books Podcast to his home, and as a result, our conversation was punctuated by lively contributions from Coco, the dog. We should really have given her her own mic.
Jeevan Vasagar – Mudlark – £22
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