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kcrouth's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this has been on my To Read list for a while, and a recent perusal of my bookshelves turned it up so i picked it up. Having spent a fair amount of time in Missouri, i'm glad i read it. The book is a conglomeration of different pieces, patched together into a volume containing much information related to the Mississippi River from the perspective of the famous author Mark Twain. I enjoyed his insight into the skills and knowledge required of the steamboat pilot, an occupation he had earlier in his life. I also enjoyed the political, social, and historical commentary of Twain in the latter part of the book which is primarily Twain's travel diary and "blog" as he returns to the Mississippi River after decades of international travel and learning. His wit and attitude are enjoyable to read, and his views are interesting, he having been raised on the river and then returning to it after decades of travel and education. The book drags at times, but also provides insights which may be hard to find anywhere else. How many steamboat pilots become internationally famous and published authors? There are many interesting subjects covered related to a wide range of topics relevant in the second half of the 19th century. All in all, this book is a great read, despite the dragging parts. I'm thankful that the native American legend of "The Undying Head" was relegated to Appendix D - it was all i could do to get through that one. This is a great read if you like Twain, or are interested in the history and legend surrounding "Old Man River".
warrenl's review against another edition
3.0
Curious one this. Despite my love of Twain's writing, I found myself slogging through the second half. This is really two books, as the story of its publication reveals. The first half is a brilliant, witty account of Twain's own piloting days. It's riveting. But the second half, or more accurately the second two thirds, ostensibly Twain's account of a later life journey of nostalgia and rediscovery up the river, seems like a rather general collection of anecdotes and tales only loosely bound by the Mississipi. The individual pieces are at times vintage Twain, but somehow the whole is less than the sum of the parts. Unlike the river, it lacks flow. I'd put it down after one chapter and find I wasn't compelled to pick it up again. But don't overlook it on this account. There is a wealth of interest in here, a portrait of a vanished time, intimately drawn by one of the English language's best writers and most astute observers.
I'd like to give it 3.5 stars, but since Goodreads allows me only integers, I'm compelled at length to round down to 3 rather than up to 4.
I'd like to give it 3.5 stars, but since Goodreads allows me only integers, I'm compelled at length to round down to 3 rather than up to 4.
krobart's review
2.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/11/18/day-807-life-on-the-mississippi/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/11/18/day-807-life-on-the-mississippi/
soniapage's review against another edition
4.0
There is something that draws me to stories about the Mississippi River and steamboat travel that this book helps to satisfy. These times will never return, so I like to read this book on occassion. The narrator of this audio version, Grover Gardner, did a good job but I wish he would have been more of an "actor" and given more variety to the voices of the different characters.
Some people may find this book boring because it is more of a history than a story, but I always enjoy Twain's wit and command of words. The book tells about his life as a pilot on a steamboat with anecdotes about the people living along the river and some history about the different cities, all told with a loving appreciation of the mighty Mississippi.
Some people may find this book boring because it is more of a history than a story, but I always enjoy Twain's wit and command of words. The book tells about his life as a pilot on a steamboat with anecdotes about the people living along the river and some history about the different cities, all told with a loving appreciation of the mighty Mississippi.
gjmaupin's review
5.0
One of the best books ever. Part memoir, part bullshit, yet you can almost always tell which is which.