How Long to Read The Battle over Hetch Hetchy

How Long Does it Take to Read The Battle over Hetch Hetchy?

It takes the average reader 5 hours and 38 minutes to read The Battle over Hetch Hetchy by Robert W. Righter

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

In the wake of the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, the city of San Francisco desperately needed reliable supplies of water and electricity. Its mayor, James Phelan, pressed for the damming of the Tuolumne River in the newly created Yosemite National Park, setting off a firestorm of protest. For the first time in American history, a significant national opposition arose to defend and preserve nature, led by John Muir and the Sierra Club, who sought to protect what they believed was the right of all Americans to experience natural beauty, particularly the magnificent mountains of the Yosemite region. Yet the defenders of the valley, while opposing the creation of a dam and reservoir, did not intend for it to be maintained as wilderness. Instead they advocated a different kind of development--the building of roads, hotels, and an infrastructure to support recreational tourism. Using articles, pamphlets, and broadsides, they successfully whipped up public opinion against the dam. Letters from individuals began to pour into Congress by the thousands, and major newspapers published editorials condemning the dam. The fight went to the floor of Congress, where politicians debated the value of scenery and the costs of western development. Ultimately, passage of the passage of the Raker Act in 1913 by Congress granted San Francisco the right to flood the Hetch Hetchy Valley. A decade later the O'Shaughnessy Dam, the second largest civil engineering project of its day after the Panama Canal, was completed. Yet conflict continued over the ownership of the watershed and the profits derived from hydroelectrocity. To this day the reservoir provides San Francisco with a pure and reliable source of drinking water and an important source of power. Although the Sierra Club lost this battle, the controversy stirred the public into action on behalf of national parks. Future debates over dams and restoration clearly demonstrated the burgeoning strength of grassroots environmentalism. In a narrative peopled by politicians and business leaders, engineers and laborers, preservationists and ordinary citizens, Robert W. Righter tells the epic story of the first major environmental battle of the twentieth century, which reverberates to this day.

How long is The Battle over Hetch Hetchy?

The Battle over Hetch Hetchy by Robert W. Righter is 328 pages long, and a total of 84,624 words.

This makes it 111% the length of the average book. It also has 103% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Battle over Hetch Hetchy Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 7 hours and 42 minutes to read The Battle over Hetch Hetchy aloud.

What Reading Level is The Battle over Hetch Hetchy?

The Battle over Hetch Hetchy is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Battle over Hetch Hetchy?

The Battle over Hetch Hetchy by Robert W. Righter is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

To buy The Battle over Hetch Hetchy by Robert W. Righter on Amazon click the button below.