The Kentucky River (The Ohio River Valley Series) [Hardcover]

William E. Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Ohio River Valley Series | Publication Date: June 2000

"A sweeping cultural history, The Kentucky River reflects the rich tapestry of life along the banks. Flowing with tales of river ghosts and hidden treasures lying in the backwaters, the book records the myths and events the river has spawned. Bill Ellis also celebrates the Kentucky's influence on such figures as writer Wendell Berry and painter Paul Sawyier. Beginning with an intriguing overview of the river's formation and characteristics, Ellis shows how the stream has helped shape Kentucky's environment, economy, and political culture. In centuries past, flotillas of flatboats carried whiskey, pork, and valuable raw materials downriver to markets in Louisiana. Later, the river became a source of entertainment as showboats brought theater, movies, music, and dancing to otherwise isolated communities. The book describes the environmental impact of settlement, logging, mining, and industrialization, developments that have sometimes tainted the Kentucky's mighty waters with silt, sewage, and trash. In the last thirty years, however, Kentuckians have come together in major efforts to clean and preserve the Kentucky's waters and the life along its banks. Advocates for the river achieved a victory in protecting the stunning Kentucky River Palisades between Boonesborough and Frankfort, and efforts continue to preserve the irreplaceable river for future generations.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tells the story of the Kentucky from the perspective of those who work and play along it." -- Filson History Quarterly

"Those who have stood by the river's banks and watched the slow flow of the water, those who have fished it, and those who have simply listened to the sounds of the world that surround the river, know that this book rings true and that the Kentucky, once more, has found a worthy chronicler of its life." -- James C. Klotter, North Carolina Historical Review

"Ellis has combined the skills of a historian with his concern for the Kentucky River to provide a traditional synthesis of the old river's past that is suitable for a popular audience." -- Journal of American History

"A comprehensive study of the river -- its environment, people, culture, geography, and history." -- Journal of Southern History

"Covers the idea of the river, the floods of 1937 and 1939, memories of showboats, and plans for use and preservation of the river." -- Kentucky Living

"Makes an overwhelming case that the Kentucky River has been exploited, abused, misused, misread, and now neglected since the time of the first white settlements and especially in the past 120 years.... Belongs on the desk of every policymaker charged with rehabilitating the river and finding a role for it in 21st century life." -- Kentucky Monthly

"Sets before the public a clear mirror reflecting its past abuses of the river, and a sound and calculated view of the river's future." -- Louisville Courier-Journal

"Not only offers an insightful overview of the river's history and its influence on the heart of Kentucky, but also chronicles the adventures of the Kentucky's colorful personalities: the happiness, hardship, humor, and violence that were a part of everyday river life." -- Louisville Courier-Journal

"Provides keen insight into the lives of the people who have identified emotionally, culturally, and economically with the Kentucky River across the years." -- Lynwood Montell

"A case study of problems which far too often afflict many waterways in North America." -- Northern Mariner

"Chronicles a fascinating history of this particular place, examining the many ways we have tried to shape it... and the many ways it has shaped us." -- Now & Then

"A comprehensive study of the Kentucky River's formation, its social and economic impact on the state, and colorful stories." -- Reviewers Consortium

"A comprehensive study of the Kentucky River's formation, its social and economic impact on the state and colorful stories." -- Smoke & Fire News

"For fluid insights into the land and people of the Bluegrass State, pick up a copy of The Kentucky River, which documents the past and present of the 255-mile-long highway of water." -- Southern Living

"Ellis gives a broad human dimension to the Kentucky River and its valley. With its wide variety of social settings, its basic importance to the land, and the earthy romance of its history, the river holds a special place in Kentucky history." -- Thomas D. Clark

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

William E. Ellis, a retired Foundation Professor at Eastern Kentucky University, received the 1999 Governor's Award for his book Robert Worth Bingham and the Southern Mystique. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 226 pages
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Kentucky (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813121523
• ISBN-13: 978-0813121529
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,789,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good research but bad writing., July 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kentucky River (The Ohio River Valley Series) (Hardcover)

This book is a good source of history about the Kentucky River but is very difficult to read. The writing is awful, as Mr Ellis often changes topics in the middle of a paragraph and punctuates erratically. This book is heavy on recollections of old-timers on the river, but light on photos, maps, and illustrations that would help to make the book a lot clearer.

Only buy this book if you have a deep interest in the history of Kentucky or America's rivers. If you don't have a driving interest in one of those subjects this book will put you to sleep.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Puts the Kentucky into Perspective, October 10, 2003

By 

North Forker (Mexico City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kentucky River (Ohio River Valley Series) (Paperback)

Mr. Ellis does a good job of putting the Kentucky River into both its historical and contemporary perspectives. His research is outstanding, and he provides in-depth coverage of the geographic, historic, economic, cultural and social significance of the river.

His analysis of the contemporary problems the river faces is especially thought provoking.

Anyone who has grown up or lived on the banks of the Kentucky will find it highly interesting and entertaining.

4.0 out of 5 stars Kentucky River, July 6, 2011

By 

Lawrence H Framme (Richmond, VA, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Kentucky River (Ohio River Valley Series) (Paperback)

Interesting book. Not terribly "deep" in its information, but a nice read about the river and some of its history. Very little of the early or frontier history which is probably the most interesting part of a Kentucky River story.