The Rivered Earth contains four libretti written by Vikram Seth to be set to music by Alec Roth - together with an account of the pleasures and pains of working with a composer. Entitled 'Songs in Time of War', 'Shared Ground', 'The Traveller' and 'Seven Elements', they take us all over the world - from Chinese and Indian poetry to the beauty and quietness of the Salisbury house where the poet George Herbert lived and died. Spanning centuries of creativity and humanity, these poems pulse with life, energy and inspired brilliance. They are accompanied by four pieces of calligraphy by the author. The book has been read, but is in good condition. Some bumps and creases are evident e.g. scuff marks on the dust jacket, but no holes or tears. Binding has minimal wear. The pages are undamaged but may have some slight creasing but this is negligible. It is clean and bright inside with a little wear to edges and corners. The end papers are pictorial. No highlighting of text, no writing in the