The book offers a fresh and innovative approach to the topic, combining classic chapters on hydro power with opinions from a broad range of people, including prominent NGO representatives, as well as individuals from the World Bank, the International Hydropower Association, the World Commission on Dams, the United Nations, and more. The result is a highly interesting mixture of information and perspectives that will give new insight to and understanding of a broad spectrum of stakeholder views

The German publishing company Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt (DVA) developed and published The Power of Water in cooperation with Voith and Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation.

What The Experts Say about The Guide to Hydropower Mechanical Design:

"The Guide will no doubt join the select group of basic reference books on hydro plant equipment design - the "Bible is familiar to us all." - Carlos S. Ospina, International Hydroelectric Consultant, Ingetec S.A., Bogota, Colombia

"The Guide is a must have reference for individuals who design hydropower facilities, and also will be of value to those who maintain and procure equipment, and who produce and distribute hydroelectricity." - Paul Willis, P.E., National Agency Expert on Hydroelectric Turbomachinery, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydroelectric Design Center

"I have been in the business of mechanical design for hydroelectric plants for 36 years. I wish that [earlier in my career] I had access to a reference work as thorough and well presented as the Guide." - Donald M. Coulson, Eng., Vice President, RSW, Inc., Montréal, Québec

What The Experts Say about Hydro Plant Electrical Systems:

"The book will defend its position as a reference document for mutual understanding not only between engineers of different fields of electrical engineering, but also between engineers of different professions -- e.g., civil and mechanical works engineers involved in hydropower design."
- Oivind Nicolaysen, Senior Advisor, Electrical Systems, Norconsult International AS, Sandvika, Norway

"I congratulate David Clemens for presenting his great design knowledge in an easy, understandable, and comprehensive way. The book provides a very good description of the design of hydropower stations . . . an excellent manual for considerations in designing, testing, and commissioning."
- Willy Lord, Senior Expert of Power Installations, SwedPower, Stockholm, Sweden

Based on the premise that enlarging upon previously successful ideas often creates the potential for disaster, Petroski cautions that the likelihood of failure must always be considered in the execution of any ultimately successful design. Written in Petroski's lucid, accessible style, he draws the conclusion that the specter of failure nurtures the humility and insight that sends engineers and designers back to the drawing board to begin anew … to create successful designs.