River Horse: The Logbook of a Boat Across America

by William Least Heat Moon, William Least Heat-moon

Release Date: 03 April, 2001

Edition: Paperback

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Join LHM and Nikawa on this Journey

After finishing "Blue Hiways" some time ago, and enjoying it so much, I turned to Least Heat-Moon's boat gig, "River horse." Overall I liked this work. This was in some ways similar of course, but genuinely different than his first over-land trip with "Ghost Dancing." "Nikawa" is a new form of transport, and the route is fixed, and there is a schedule that is adhered to, understandably. And again, LHM takes himself and his readers to a part of America most of us miss, just as in his first book. "Pilotis," the assistant in this journey reminded me of the "Phaedrus" concept used by Pirsig, but Pirsig was Phaedrus, and Pilotis was a friend of LHM's, an actual companion.

To me it is free-flow reading, and descriptive of the natural surroundings he encountered near and afar, on this 5,000 mile journey into the Real America. How many reading of this journey wanted to leave their cubicles and mundane suburban life behind while reading "River Horse?" I did. And I have!

This book can be a bit "prosy" and he offers thoughts and views on "this and that." It is quite an interesting journey. Give it a read. LHM is free, and can make you dream.

Blue Highways via the Water

William Least Heat-Moon set out many years ago to see the country by travelling only on "Blue Highways"--those roads marked on a map that never achieve four-lane or divided highway status. Reading it in high school, I was captivated by his love for adventure and people. Well, he's done it again with "River Horse"--doing the same thing but only by river this time. His writing skills make you believe you are right there with him, from sights to sound to smell. For anyone who has the thirst for adventure, or who has only dreamed of it ... this book will take you to a new plain. I highly recommend it - Mr. Heat-Moon is a gifted writer who is already planning his next escapade.