The Organic Machine Richard White Summary

Throughout the book titled, The Organic Machine, by Richard White, the author depicts the connection and affiliations that have taken place within the Columbia River’s history. The Columbia River is extremely well known in the Pacific Northwest and often a place visited by natives and travelers because of its great beauty. However, often times what people don’t consider is the history and story behind this great sight. Through this book that is exactly what White is able to do. Understanding the natural history along with the human history are key components along with the rivers role for the White man and the Native Americans history. In order to grasp White’s writing there must be a greater understanding and focus in regards to the crossing

The Natives used the river as source of food, transportation, and life. They thanked it for what it brought them and in return treated it well without trying to change its natural cycle and abilities. They learned ways in which they could benefit most while maintaining its natural condition. The white man however, even though finding the river useful, they began to change the rivers natural cycle by beginning to build dams, reactors, hatcheries, locks, shipping channels, and more for the purpose if different sources of power, navigation, irrigation, flood control, and much more.
The boundaries of environmental and man-made life began to blend causing shift throughout the environment but also to the natural habitat. White explains with great passion how not only are people effected so are the animals, such as the salmon that once swam the river unrestricted. Another great and hugely important theme throughout this book is the history of the salmon wildlife and how man made changes have drastically effected them. The change in river flow patterns, water temperatures, and spawning areas are just a few example of how the creation of dams and man made additions affect our