River Horse

A Voyage Across America

By: William Heat-Moon, William Least heat-moon

Narrated by: Jay O. Sanders

In this abridgement of River-Horse, the pre-eminent chronicler of American back roads -- who has given us the classics Blue Highways and Prairyerth -- recounts his singular voyage through American waters from sea to sea. Along the route, he offers a lyrical and ceaselessly fascinating shipboard perspective on the country and its rivers, lakes, canals, and landscapes. Brimming with history, drama, and wisdom, River-Horse belongs in the pantheon of American travel literature.

In his most ambitious journey ever, Heat-Moon sets off aboard a small boat he named Nikawa ("river horse" in Osage) from the Atlantic at New York Harbor in hopes of entering the Pacific near Astoria, Oregon. He and his companion, Pilotis, struggle to cover some five thousand watery miles -- more than any other cross-country river traveler has ever managed -- often following in the wakes of our most famous explores, from Henry Hudson to Lewis and Clark.

En route, the voyagers confront massive floods, submerged rocks, dangerous weather, and their own doubts about whether they can complete the trip. But the hard days yield up incomparable pleasures: strangers generous with help and eccentric tales, landscapes unchanged since Sacagawea saw them, riverscapes flowing with a lively past, and the growing belief that efforts to protect our lands and waters are beginning to pay off. And, throughout its course, the expedition enjoys coincidences so breathtaking as to suggest the intervention of a divine and witty Providence.

Teeming with humanity and high adventure, Heat-Moon's account is an unsentimental and original arteriogram of our nation at the edge of the Millennium.

Interesting travel story with history

Where does River Horse rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Somewhere in the middle

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

What I expected - appropriate based on the non-fiction style.

What about Jay O. Sanders’s performance did you like?

I felt like I was in the story, on the boat with them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were a number - I liked the moments with the locals along the river.

Any additional comments?

Big emphasis on the front part of the trip in New York, but interesting trip and fun listen.

great adventure

the voyage from Atlantic to pacific by river waterways. it is fraught with danger.. it also describes the carious rivers on the way. very interesting book.

A wonderful river trip

After blue highways I knew that I had to listen to river house. The adventures of seeking ones need to find out about the unknown was wonderfully depicted in this book. Sometimes he can rattle on but I found the book a reminder to face our challenges are pursue those yearnings.

Back to a memorable past where boating is life

What did you love best about River Horse?

From Atlantic to Pacific, through Dams & Locks, this little boat brought you back to the past time where water is blue and mountain is gree, fishes still jumping in the river. Through this journey, one can enjoy the wonderful landscape, but also noted that many had been changed in the past 200 years. A wonderful book.

Second time around

I enjoyed listening, which I must do now because of a problem with my vision. I must admit however, that reading the book was much more enjoyable and rewarding for me. I felt the audio
reading, whether caused by reader or by editing material
for length, was too clipped and felt chopped and skimpy on detail.
Still all in all it was quite enjoyable to experience it again.