Is a River Alive?

<p><b>A WATERSTONES PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2026</b><Br><b>SHORTLISTED FOR BLACKWELL'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025</b><Br><b>SHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR CONSERVATION WRITING 2025</b><Br><b>SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2026</b></p><p><b>From celebrated writer Robert Macfarlane comes this brilliant, perspective-shifting new book – which answers a resounding <i>yes</i> to the question of its title.</b></p><p>At its heart is a single, transformative idea: that rivers are not mere matter for human use, but living beings – who should be recognized as such in both imagination and law.<i> Is a River Alive?</i> takes the reader on an exhilarating exploration of the past, present and futures of this ancient, urgent concept.</p><p>The book flows first to <b>northern Ecuador</b>, where a miraculous cloud-forest and its rivers are threatened by goldmining.</p><p>Then, to the wounded rivers, creeks and lagoons of <b>southern India</b>, where a desperate battle to save the lives of these waterbodies is under way.</p><p>And finally, to <b>north-eastern Quebec</b>, where a spectacular wild river – the Mutehekau or Magpie – is being defended from death by damming in a river-rights campaign.</p><p><b>At once Macfarlane’s most personal and most political book to date, <i>Is a River Alive?</i> will open hearts, spark debates and lead us to the revelation that our fate flows with that of rivers – and always has.</b></p><p><b>2025 BOOK OF THE YEAR ACCORDING TO SPECTATOR, I PAPER, ECONOMIST, ESQUIRE, TIME</b></p><p><b>SHORTLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026</b><Br><b>SHORTLISTED FOR THE SHERBORNE PRIZE FOR TRAVEL WRITING 2026</b><Br><b>LONGLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2026</b></p>