This famous photo of a fish impaled on a stick was taken during the height of the drought, at the bottom of the Nicasio Reservoir, which was nearly dry by the summer of 1977.
“For those of us in the Bay Area and specifically the citizens of Marin County, this book brings back memories of a bad time but with a positive ending. For those unfamiliar with the 'great Marin drought of the seventies' this story builds with each chapter, causing the reader to 'keep turning pages' to find out what happens. This being a true story proves once again that truth more often than not holds the reader better than any fiction—the drought could happen in anyone’s community and probably will, sooner than later.”
—Franklin J. Argardy, Ph.D Forensic Management Associates, Inc.
“We are now clearly witnessing the effects of global warming. In California, snow is falling at higher elevations and melting faster, and the sea level is on the rise. While chronicling extraordinary measures taken by one Northern California community in response to a very serious drought in the mid-70’s, The Man Who Made it Rain, poses some serious questions. It also makes a clear case that each of us has a responsibility to take part in the solution. Entire new approaches are needed to better manage our most precious resources. This book is not only very relevant and entertaining, it is also an urgent wake up call.”
—Grant Davis is Executive Director of The Bay Institute, an advocacy organization dedicated to restoring the San Francisco Bay-Delta watershed. He serves on the Department of Water Resources' California Water Plan Advisory Committee, and is currently Vice Chair of the Bay Area Water Forum.
“As a resident of Marin County and a forecaster of the weather for a local TV station during the Great California Drought of 1976-77, I was especially intrigued by The Man Who Made It Rain. Michael McCarthy weaves history, science and lively anecdotes into an absorbing chronicle of one of the worse droughts in California’s recorded history.”
—Joel Bartlett, ABC News
“In this exciting novel, readers get an insider’s glimpse into the true experiences of Diet Stroeh, a water engineer and enterprise manager as he dealt with a genuine water crisis in Northern California. Author Michael McCarthy creates an urgent story, illuminating what surely is the critical issue of our times. Weaving fact with fiction, he chronicles the real-life drama of Stroeh the water leader, who is usually relegated to public obscurity, unless and until there is a drought or shortage crisis. This story of personal and professional challenge will make readers appreciate their next drink of water.”
—Jerome B. Gilbert, National and International Water Expert
“As I read The Man Who Made it Rain, I kept thinking about a man who demonstrated by example, that it is possible for one person to make a difference. Diet Stroeh’s vision, determination, self-confidence and credibility, mobilized the likes of politicians Barbara Boxer, Gary Giacomini, Bill Filante, John Burton and Jimmy Carter to help the people of Marin County in what was a true emergency. It is a wonderful book full of 'colorful characters.' What a story!”
—Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools