Customer Reviews

In the Mad Water: Two Centuries of Adventure and Lunacy at Niagara Falls

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This is the first book on Niagara that has captured both the fact (which many books do quite well) and the FEELING of the place. I grew up on Grand Island, just upstream from the Falls, and growing up on 'that' water was different from growing up on any other, because you always had the nagging sense that four miles away was certain death. When you went fishing, you were afraid to fall asleep for fear of waking up in the Rapids; when you went swimming, there was always the unreasonable notion that somehow the river would not let you get back to shore. TW Kriner is the first person I've ever read to capture a sense of the ominous presence of the Falls just in the background of daily life on the Niagara Frontier.

Having grown up just a few miles from the falls and working there for four summers, I've seen and heard first hand many accounts of lives lost tempting fate on this incredibly dangerous river (both upper and lower). Perhaps having been a local I have a better appreciation and respect for the Niagara. But I am constantly amazed at the stunts and stupidity people will undertake trying to conquer this obviously unconquerable landmark. After each account you'll be asking yourself the same question locals have for years... what was that guy thinking?

This book absolutly keeps you intrested from the first page to the last. After a recent trip to the Falls ( having not been there since a 9 yr old kid) i was captivated by the wonder of the falls and the respect it comands. I wanted to know more, not just everyday facts, but the inside stories and how lives are affected by the wonder of Niagara. this book captures that and makes the reader gain a respect for the falls and for all those who dare to take on the wonder of it. The stories of those who tept fate at the falls are intriguing and very well told. Again it gives you an added appriciation for the wonder and power of such an amazing place. Anyone with an Intrest in the falls and wants to know more about it and how it affects people has to read this book.

A great and very fun read for the Niagara Falls lover or history buff.

True stories about gut wrenching tragedy and heart pounding rescues that will leave you on the edge of your seat awaiting the outcome of yet another victim that has fallen prey to the beautiful but sometimes deadly river.

T.W. Kriner's style of writing and attention to detail will leave you feeling like your IN THE MAD WATER with them. A must read for anyone interested in the disasters and sometimes bizarre history of Niagara Falls.

And if that wasn't enough check out T.W. Kriner's previous book JOURNEYS TO THE BRINK OF DOOM and he will take you there and back with more tantalizing accounts of mystery and mayhem that have made the falls famous.