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Three Rivers

The Extraordinary Waterways That Made Europe
Brief Description
Coursing down from one fertile patch of Alpine ice in the jagged heights of Switzerland, the Rhine, the Rhone and the Po gave birth to three different European cultures – German, French and Italian – as they flowed across the continent. From this shared geological cradle,... Read More
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A fascinating exploration of the rich and varied cultural worlds shaped by the Rhine, the Rhone and the Po.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Coursing down from one fertile patch of Alpine ice in the jagged heights of Switzerland, the Rhine, the Rhone and the Po gave birth to three different European cultures – German, French and Italian – as they flowed across the continent.

From this shared geological cradle, these waterways have shaped the landscape, influenced the pattern of towns and cities, laid the foundation for economies, and created an intricate network of transport, trade, and agriculture. From the Romanesque buttresses and vines of Provence to the Wagnerian music of the Rhine and the artistic miracles of Lombardy, the heart of Western Europe – its languages, religion, philosophy, science, politics, and art – has been nourished by these waters.

Setting off in the dramatic mountain landscape where this story begins, acclaimed historian Robert Winder traces the rivers’ journeys from their increasingly fragile glacial sources, revealing in shimmering detail their impact on Europe’s rich history as they flow towards the sea.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783968794

Publisher: Elliott & Thompson Limited

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 July 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Elliott & Thompson Limited

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Robert Winder was Literary Editor of the Independent (where he ran the Foreign Fiction Award for translated novels) and Deputy Editor of Granta. He is the author of many titles (both fiction and non-fiction) including Bloody Foreigners: The Story of Immigration to Britain and The Last Wolf: The Hidden Springs of Englishness. The former helped inspire the Migration Museum Project, which aims to create a major museum on the theme of migration in Britain and for which he was a founder trustee.

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    Three Rivers by Robert Winder explores the origins and significance of three of Europe’s greatest rivers: the Rhine, the Rhone, and the Po. These rivers begin in the same geological cradle, a fertile patch of high Alpine ice in the jagged heights of central Switzerland. The impact of this small fact is immense; together, these rivers not only symbolise the...
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