On Our Nightstand

THE STATE OF WATER: UNDERSTANDING CALIFORNIA’S MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE

By Obi Kaufmann

Heyday, 144 pages, $20

It’s no surprise that Obi Kaufmann’s first book, , was a bestseller. Filled with useful facts and Kaufmann’s lovingly detailed paintings of wildlife, it’s a handsome, compact tribute to the state’s natural wonders. Now Kaufmann is, another art-rich book, this one focusing on a precious resource whose fate will determine California’s future. Kaufmann, who lives in Oakland, has long been an avid backpacker and is familiar with California’s varied ecosystems. In this new work, he delves into the state’s contentious history of water usage and gives readers an overview of its vast and complex water infrastructure. He makes the case that conservation is essential for a state that is growing beyond its means.