On Water

Farber 's collection of literary essays investigates the role water plays in our lives. He sets the tone early in this collection of vignettes by noting that the term Earth is a misnomer because some 70 percent of our planet is covered with water. Beautifully written in spare prose, this work contains myriad interesting facts and observations on water. Farber's essays limn the history of surfing, sailing, and diving, others examine such mysteries as the demise of waterbeds and the sexual, biblical, and philosophical aspects of water. Also included is a brief overview of water in literature and descriptions of travel to exotic South Sea locales.