Three Rivers

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 three distinct cultures of Europe—French, German, and Italian—but also powered the essence of these cultures.

These extraordinary waterways have shaped the landscape, carving out valleys where early humans settled. They have influenced the structure of Europe's societies, dictating the pattern of its towns and cities, roads, and railways. The rivers laid the foundation for Europe's economies by creating an intricate network of agriculture and trade. They have enriched cultural diversity by nourishing language, religion, philosophy, science, politics, and art. From the Romanesque buttresses and vines of Provence and the Wagnerian music of the Rhine to the spiritual and artistic marvels of Lombardy, the heart of Western European civilisation has been nourished by these waters.

However, while their importance remains undiminished today, their source is under threat. The glaciers that have filled Europe’s Alpine water tank for centuries are vanishing rapidly. This catastrophic change implies a stark reality: we can no longer take Europe's great triumvirate of rivers for granted.

Three Rivers delves into the dramatic mountain landscape where this story begins, recounting the tale of the glaciers while reflecting on the significant cultural consequences that have flowed from their cold and fragile presence. The potential loss of these glaciers would be momentous, as their existence has been integral to the vitality of Western European civilisation.