Reviewed by Paul Paolicelli
[Permission to Reprint, Without Editing, and with Proper Attribution]
     
     When I think of Venice, I dream of distant empire rich in trade, music, fashion, literature, of a mysterious and magical place filled with the energy and wit of a remarkable people, the traces of which are still evident. I see masked balls and costumed revelers dancing through the ancient shadows, hear lyric tunes floating on the Adriatic nights. I watch as small boats slip through the dark canals as gracefully as swans and smell ocean breezes cut with the aroma from ancient kitchens still cooking, as water laps eternally on smoothed stones….

     What I don't think of is the inexorable, inevitable and unrelenting erosion of the underpinnings of this magnificent relic, and its eventual reclamation into tidal backwaters.

     John Keahey's latest effort, "Venice Against the Sea, A City Besieged," is a dark and realistic portrait of Venice's scientific and natural fate, absent the sentiment of singing Gondoliers and cooing pigeons in San Marco plaza. Keahey looks at the historical and natural elements that lead to Venice's development as a point of civilization, analyses its construction and expansion, interviews the key scientists and politicians currently evaluating its options, and reviews tons of scientific data relating to climate and tidal movement. 

     Keahey works his way through this highly detailed narrative of Venice's past and future cautiously, deliberately and factually. He begins in the mists of pre-history as land and water formations occur along the Adriatic coast and lagoons are formed from settlement of earth being rushed to the sea by deliberate rivers. He narrates the flight from Barbarians that formed the social core of the initial settlers, of their fierce independence and determination for self rule. It is in this legacy of self government where Venice truly distinguishes itself and, through that legacy, by which market principles grow and allow for wealth to pour into the city at the same speed with which the early Venetians developed engineering and architecture to keep out, or channel, the ever present water.

     In perhaps a little too much detail, Keahey annotates the effects of tides, winds and global warming on the lagoon city. But the casual reader or Venetian fanatic should not be deterred by this tendency towards statistics on Keahey's part. The book still holds as an interesting story and the detailed numerical information can be easily skimmed. What is important, and what Journalist Keahey does necessarily detail, is the continuing  "only in Italy" debate as to what is to be done about this sinking treasure. The argument comes down to this: should the city and the Italian government fork out billions to construct and maintain a questionable system of gates that would, in theory, hold back the Adriatic from the lagoon, or should the city and national government pursue other options to preserve the international jewel from the sea's reclamation? Keahey poses the question thoroughly and allows the reader to ponder the answer. 

     The book includes excellent maps and photographs. Keahey's narrative style takes the reader along on his various expeditions into the dying city's walkways and on its ever-droning vaporetti, as they beat their way against high waves or chug along the ancient canals. Keahey's passion for the place comes through, though this is not a passionate book, but rather a persuasive one. The Epilogue is a surprise coda to the continuing Italian family argument over Venice's fate. And, like the city the book is about, that argument seems eternal, but not always particularly well grounded. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Paolicelli is the author of "Dances With Luigi, A Grandson's Search for His Italian Roots." His new book, "Under the Southern Sun: Stories of Italy and the Americans it Created" will be out early next year. Both books are published by St. Martin's Press, New York.