"The Organic Machine" is a non-fiction book by American historian Richard White, first published in 1995. The book explores the history of the Columbia River and its role in shaping the economic, social, and environmental history of the American West.
White argues that the Columbia River can be seen as an "organic machine," a natural system that has been harnessed and transformed by human intervention. The book examines the ways in which the river has been used for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, navigation, and other purposes, and the impact that these uses have had on the landscape and the people who inhabit it.
Through a combination of archival research and personal observation, White provides a richly detailed account of the history of the Columbia River region. He explores the complex relationships between the various groups who have sought to exploit the river's resources, including Native American tribes, farmers, fishermen, and industrialists.
"The Organic Machine" has been widely praised for its insightful analysis of the impact of human intervention on the natural world. The book has been called a "tour de force" of environmental history, and has been lauded for its engaging prose and meticulous research. The book has become a classic of the genre, and is recommended reading for anyone interested in the history of the American West, environmentalism, or the relationship between human beings and the natural world.
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