This book follows Tony Allan’s journey through the maze of water management and global awareness of the risks of mismanagement, tracing the trajectory of the hydraulic mission from a time of infinite possibilities— fiat panis and piped water— to risk aversion, loss of confidence and political will, and post-water societies.

Part I, spanning fifteen chapters, explores Tony Allan's formative years at SOAS, his groundbreaking work in remote sensing, and his Middle Eastern studies. It examines his influential contributions to understanding water's political economy, the concept of virtual water, and the intricacies of transboundary water disputes. His keen insights into power dynamics shaped his perspective on regional agriculture, environmental issues, and cross-border water management.

Part II investigates two decades of profound societal and economic transformation, highlighting the expanding influence of the private sector, It showcases TonyAllan's transdisciplinary collaboration with diverse stakeholders, from institutions to communities. The narrative follows his strategic pivot from conventional water issues to food systems—the primary water consumer—culminating in the comprehensive Oxford Handbook of Water Food and Society.

Through sixteen detailed chapters, the book examines the mixed legacy of privatization and the complex politics of the water-energy-food nexus. It tackles contentious issues of sustainability and governance, ultimately advocating for the rebalancing of power dynamics within food systems and broader society.

This book offers critical insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the fields of water management, agriculture and the environment. Most of the chapters in this volume were originally published in Water International.