Goodbye to a River [DECKLE EDGE] (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Russell Waterhouse (Illustrator) "USUALLY, fall is the good time to go to the Brazos, and when you can choose, October is the best month-if, for that matter, you..." (more)
Key Phrases: sta gro, cedar people, Palo Pinto, Sam Sowell, Parker County (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

?John Graves?s writing is invaluable. . . . The reader who misses Graves will have missed much.? --Larry McMurtry

?As you read, you have the feeling that the whole colorful, brutal tapestry of the Lone Star State is being unrolled for you out of the biography of this one stream.? ?The Atlantic Monthly

?Graves? originality and flair turn this local scene and regional lore into an hoest and powerfully evocative picture of frontier life anywhere.? ?The Chicago Sunday Tribune

?One of the most pleasing books I?ve ever read. I love the way it weaves together remote history, not so remote history, present events, and landscape.??Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs



From the Trade Paperback edition. -- Review

Review

“John Graves’s writing is invaluable. . . . The reader who misses Graves will have missed much.” --Larry McMurtry

“As you read, you have the feeling that the whole colorful, brutal tapestry of the Lone Star State is being unrolled for you out of the biography of this one stream.” —The Atlantic Monthly

“Graves’ originality and flair turn this local scene and regional lore into an hoest and powerfully evocative picture of frontier life anywhere.” —The Chicago Sunday Tribune

“One of the most pleasing books I’ve ever read. I love the way it weaves together remote history, not so remote history, present events, and landscape.”—Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs



From the Trade Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1st edition (June 27, 1960)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394426908
• ISBN-13: 978-0394426907
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #457,624 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much bigger than Texas, May 1, 2003

By	John Walker "Guitar Lover" (Manistee, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I first read this book 15 years ago. And although I've never been to that part of Texas, I feel as if I know Mr. Graves' stretch of the Brazos as well as the back of my hand. I have always felt guilty for never writing him a fan letter. He deserves as much credit as Wallace Stegner, Edward Abbey, John McPhee and all the rest or our naturalist philosophers for his beautiful prose and endlessly ruminative mind. I know that at least one reviewer found the book dull, and I have no capacity for empathy. In fact, I recently purchased, through Amazon, an autographed copy of the book with Mr. Graves' own photographs, for [$$]. If my son loves this book someday as much as I have, I'll consider my life a success. It is that good.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Gospel of St.; John, May 18, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goodbye to a River (Paperback)

I first met John Graves in 1981 at a Texas Writers' Convention in Ft. Worth. I told him that I'd bought at least 30 copies of Goodbye (which was true), having lent or given outright some 29 previous copies. He autographed it, and wrote a prelogue thanking me for my good opinion of the book. Read it for yourself, and enjoy Texas history and the mind of a man who is attached to every feeder creek, low water crossing, or sweeping bend. This book is what the best and worst of Texas is all about. Read it, then come on down to the River, and catch some fish. I'll set you up with a canoe rental ...

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever, without exaggeration., January 20, 2001

By	Friarhoss (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Goodbye to a River (Paperback)

With all the previous and excellent reviews for this wonderful book, I will only add brief personal comments:

This was recommended to me for a Texas history course, but this is not merely the best history book I have come across, but this is the best book I have read bar none. If you read for self-discovery, history or for appreciation of good writing, then you will not leave this book on your shelf disappointed when you are done. You will, if you are like me, go and find your parents or your grandparents or both, hug them and say, "I never appreciated what you did and what you left behind for my generation. Thank you."

And thank you, John Graves.