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The Search for Water: A Human History of Thirst is an expansive and important new book from journalist and anthropologist Virginia Mendoza. Part-memoir and part-history, Virginia weaves personal reflection and her memories of growing up in La Mancha – the driest region in Europe – with a meticulously researched anthropological exploration of how water – both too little and too much – has shaped our species.

Mick chats with Virginia about water and how it connects us to our oldest ancestors, from where we were all born in Africa to migration, from myth-making and religion to what our relationship with water means today.

English isn’t Virginia’s first language so a heads up that she pronounces drought “druth” the first couple of times she says it.

The Search for Water: A Human History of Thirst is translated into English by Thomas Bunstead, published by Pushkin and out now.

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