Sensitive Chaos: Creation of Flowing Forms in Water and Air [Paperback]

Schwenk's book is to me a landmark achievement, many years ahead of all books on fractals, on exploring the fluid forms of air, water and living things, not least of which is through finely calibrated choices of photographs. Perhaps benefitting from Rudolf Steiner's intuitive and spiritual approach to science, the book is wonderful from everything from scholastic and in-depth study of nature's forms to pre-bedtime reverie. I can't praise this book sufficiently.

In its genre, this is a bestselling book that predates Chaos theory and fractals (while using the concept extensively) has been selling steadily for 50 years (although of course it has relatively specialist interests). The reason is, I believe, because it is such an exceptional book, combining for both lay and scientific reader a scientific yet beautiful and easy to understand observation of what is technically called morphology, i.e. the study of forms.

Quoting from some of the exceptional people who have recognised it might help to confirm this point of view. Jacques Cousteau introduced the book by describing his experiences in water ("Ever since that magical moment when my eyes opened under the sea I have been unable to see, think or live as I had done before."), going on to say: "These memories -- and many more -- have now taken for me a new meaning suggested by the book of Theodore Schwenk. Today it is my privilege to introduce to English readers this remarkable book."

James Lovelock, the eminent scientist and author of the concept of Gaia said: "In Sensitive Chaos Theodore Schwenk teaches us about this wonderful connection between water and life. So movingly and well told is his tale that you will not want to put the book down until the end."

Kathleen Raine, the poet and founder of the Temenos Academy, reported: "To study this book is a transforming experience in which meaning and beauty are restored to our world conceived as 'living being'."

So what did they find? It is a book with clear, precise language and very importantly partnered on every page by brilliantly illuminating and precisely observed line drawings, with the last third of the book consisting of photographs of these phenomena -- and unlike another reviewer I think there's something to be said for black and white because it shows the form without any confusion of colour. Lookout for comparisons between the vibrations of violins, organs, flutes and French horns"

These images and the accompanying text set my mind thinking. Take these examples. In one double page spread (pp16-17) there are five pictures showing the way a meandering river's current flows from margin to margin while also rotating in to alternately flowing circles to form a series spirals, and also how this goes towards forming an oxbow lake. On page 22 we see how water flows round bends in for example water pipe and how this affects blood flow in the veins and the shape of a heart in a lungfish. The next page compares this with the shape of human bones and muscles in the chest and arm. P35 shows how a manta ray's movement's are adapted to the flow of water, more remarkable when you compare it three pages later with a beautiful drawing showing how vortices develop in flowing water.

Shortly after you will find a picture of the horns of the kudu antelope and see how this relates to the movement of a water vortex. One of my favourite images (P 58) is of how a jellyfish causes mirror images of itself to a rising water through its pulsating propulsion. If you turn to page 76 you will see how the network of rivers in a catchment area relates to the network of veins and human being and a few pages later you will see how the shape of the cochlea in the ear is related to the spiral flow of water.

What will be an inspiration to some is the spirit with which water is approached, combining the scientific with what Schwenk calls the spiritual. From the rather obvious recognition that water is essentially the element of life, he goes on to describe its qualities in ways that almost give it a personality, for example (speaking of the way water takes the form of its container): "Water desires nothing for itself, it gives of itself freely, never questioning the form into which it must change when needed by plant, animal or man..." This approach is inspired by Goethe's comment: "We attempt in vain to describe the character of a man; but a description of his actions and his deeds will create for us a picture of his character."

This book is a most illuminating description of the character of water. Do read it. Do give it as a gift.

I was motivated to get hold of this book through an interest in Rudolf Steiner's Anthroposophy and a renewed interest in geographc ad elemental phenomena. I studied Geography and Environmental Science at A-level so wanted to see how the two areas overlapped with Anthroposophical leanings.

The book is well illustrated with lots of sketches and photos (unfortuately in black and white) and the narrative although a little dry is not particularly 'boring'... I think what I wasn't keen on was its rather rambling nature: it doesn't really build up to a theory but rather documents physical air/water phenomena and similarities to the human body and soul.

Its a fascinating subject but a hard one to pin down in written form: mind/body/spirit vs environment/geography. I think perhaps a video documentary would be more in order (I thought of it first people!)...and a more purposeful narrative of course.