BOOK REVIEW by www.watermagazine.com

The Holy Order of Water
(Healing Earth's Waters and Ourselves)

This is one person's life story, interwoven with personal stories and documentary accounts about water. It is a passionate and dispassionate call for action to protect earth's natural water resources from exploitation and pollution. The writer is William E Marks. It is copyright 2001.

In the preface Mr Marks writes "...Today, at age fifty-two, I see how most of my life has been centered on water - physically, psychologically, and spiritually. This book is based on a collection of notes and thoughts and I hope will bring a better respect and understanding of water and all that it gives to life. My belief, based on experience, is that a better understanding of water will give each one of us a way of seeing ourself and help lead us to a better life..."

In the book Mr Marks takes the reader from his boyhood, through youthful experiences, exploration on horseback of large tracts of the USA, and his growing awareness of water issues. He begins with his father's wisdom in digging a well.... the book flows from there. His story is used as the structure in which to weave a vast amount of information and opinion about water.

The book is organised under the following headings:

• WONDER - The Well, Cosmic Rain, Water of Life, Water Weather, Vortex Energy;
• MYSTERY - The Desert, Is Water Myth Water Truth? Ritual;
• CRISIS - Dead Fish, A Brief History of Water Pollution, Deforestation and Dams, Water Wars;
• HEALING - Healing Heart, Our Human Bodies & Water, A Brief History of Water Healing, Healing Our Earth and Ourselves;
• HOPE - The Power of One, The Wakening, One Water Family

As the book's cover notes: "Mr Marks has been a longtime advocate for the protection of water. He has visited Europe, North Africa, Australia, Ireland, and other countries to study historical water managament practices. He founded the first state-certified water testing laboratory on Martha's Vineyard (USA) and worked closely with Vineyard resident Walter Cronkite to clean up Edgartown Harbor..."

Mr Marks does not claim to be an academic expert, nor a doctor, though he has personal experience of the healing powers of water.

Among the volume of water texts which claim to be objective and scientific, it is somewhat of a relief to plunge into this book. It is very personal. Each chapter begins with quotes from thinkers and poets about water. Historical information ranges from Greek ideas, through Leonardo Da Vinci, right through to scientific studies into the memory of water.

I would say that the most profound insights the book has to offer are those relating to the healing powers of water. Much of this is controversial and regarded by modern day shamans as unscientific. However Mr Marks lists many unexplained events and personal experiences. Food for thought.

All in all a stimulating and idea-filled read.

The Holy Order of Water is 296 pages long and contains a comprehensive index to all of the water casestudies and issues it traverses. It was published in 2001. The isbn is 0-88010-483-X. It was published by: Bell Pond Books, PO Box 799, Great Barrington, MA 01230, USA. See their website at www.bellpondbooks.com

If you would like a book or paper reviewed by watermagazine Click: REVIEW
If you need further assistance, please email watermagazine editor.
Joel Cayford
Editor
www.watermagazine.com