Customer Reviews:
 Interesting but convoluted July 30, 2008
The reluctant designer (Switzerland)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
After reading this book, I will most certainly think twice about asking for bottled water again. While I suspected that bottled waters were 1000% profit companies, I had no idea what the consequences could be of their actions. It makes for disturbing consideration. br / br /I found the writing somewhat convoluted and often wandering off the point I felt the author was trying to make. Nevertheless the book is an essential read to enlightening us about our (now revealed) indulgent habits. br / br /I for one am making a change in my habits. Yes, it has to be tap water from now on, but via a filter that I can control. Hopefully each person who follows suit will actively persuade their governments to improve their local water supply systems.
 Great! Fascinating! July 6, 2008
Maryjane Scheibal (Mays Landing NJ)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I love this book.!! Anyone who is interested in the subject of bottle vs tap water must read it! Well done!
Recommended reading for anyone who drinks water June 28, 2008
Brian J. Cipperly (Gettysburg, PA, USA)
3 out of 7 found this review helpful
As another reviewer mentioned, I kind of expected this book to have more of a global focus than it does, but what it does cover of the US it covers very well. I was especially impressed with the thorough comparisons of bottled and tap waters, and how balanced the author's approach was when looking at them; because it's written in first-person you can ultimately tell what her opinions are, but she spends ample time talking about how she appreciates both sides of the issues. Echoing the mentioned sentiment that "water is the new oil" I think it's in everyone's best interest to read books such as this one.
 Thirsting for the Truth about bottled water .... June 27, 2008
Kevin Quinley (Fairfax, VA)
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
Journalist Elizabeth Royte uncorks America's obsession with bottled water in BOTTLEMANIA, assessing the financial, environmental and ecological ramifications of this practice. br / br /How safe is your tap water? How "pure" is that bottled aqua you are sipping from? How much water goes into producing and bottling that bottle? How did Americans come to the idea that sipping bottled water was somehow safer and healthier? How do we reconcile corporate interests with local environmental concerns? br / br /Royte shows both sides of the issues without coming off as some tree-hugging environmentalist. She struggles with many of the same issues on the level of her own personal water consumption. BOTTLEMAINIA can be slow-sledding at times through some of the scientific discussion and its narrative of local meetings has all the thrill of waiting in line at the DMV. br / br /Nevertheless, you may not view that bottle of Poland Springs quite the same way after reading BOTTLEMANUIA. In fact, reading BOTTLEMANIA may cure us of our "bottle-mania"! br /
Water in every form June 22, 2008
Jon Hunt (Old Greenwich, Ct. USA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
On a recent visit to Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park, the ranger commented that the water shooting out of the geyser was between five hundred and eighteen hundred years old. Does water have age? Yes, it does, and Elizabeth Royte's wonderful new book, "Bottlemania", explores water in its many aspects....how it is so readily available for exploitation, its packaging, its increasing relevance in our lives, and much more. As a natural resource, a commodity, a convenience and a company investment, Royte tells it all. If one thought oil was the resource du jour, stick around...water will trump it. br / br /This is really two books in one... the author spends a good deal of time in Fryeburg, Maine, where the Nestle corporation is doing battle with town residents regarding the extraction of water from (literally) underneath them. The battle is joined. Can the behemoth be stopped? But this is a more personal book for most of us, as well. Why do we drink so much bottled water when tap water is just as good, if not preferable? Again, look no farther than "Bottlemania" for some answers. There can be oil substitutes, but water is irreplaceable and the coming years could be a test of national will regarding its use and preservation. br / br /Royte is an exceptionally good writer. She keeps the focus just where it needs to be and her narrative is compelling. Growing up, I never gave water a thought. Now I do. I highly recommend "Bottlemania" for this comprehensive look at water...our staff of life.
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