Old Man River and Me: One Man's Journey Down the Mighty Mississippi [Paperback]

Mark Knudsen (Author), Shawn Plank (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999

Mark Knudsen is an adventurer who built an eighteen-foot flat-bottom johnboat and motored down the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico and lived the dream of many people.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the fall of 1993, Knudsen set off on a trip down the Mississippi River in an 18' flat-bottom johnboat he built for the purpose. His story is part adventure, part history, part politics, and part popular culture. The trip turned into more of an adventure than he had planned owing to the extensive flooding earlier in 1993. Not only did that postpone Knudsen's departure, but as he motored down the river he found extensive damage, washed-out marinas, and docks and even islands covered by high water. The people he met are a big part of the story. While Old Man River is no Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance or Blue Highways, it is an enjoyable read. The writing is engaging enough to leave the reader wishing for a more in-depth treatment. Recommended for large public libraries.AThomas K. Fry, Penrose Lib., Univ. of Denver
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The largest difference between this travelogue and, say, Life on the Mississippi or the adventures of Tom and Huck is the straightforward approach adventurer Knudsen takes. Mark Twain's works are more filled with fantasy and adventure, but Knudsen, who built an 18-foot flat-bottom boat himself and headed downstream from Minnesota, absorbed the sights, sounds, and smells of such cities as St. Louis and Memphis. Some negotiating of the river was trying (it wasn't just about going around bends and avoiding islands), but the hospitality Knudsen received along the river is unmatched. Nice people offered him food, a shower, and provisions along the way, although he does receive an ominous warning about "Cajun justice" while in Missouri. Despite this anticipation of possible adventures, Knudsen's foray into Mississippi and Louisiana is largely uneventful, and even time spent in New Orleans is largely pleasant as Knudsen maneuvers Dulcinea, his flatboat, through the nooks and crannies of the mouth of the river. Joe Collins

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558537384
• ISBN-13: 978-1558537385
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining ride down the Mississippi, June 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Old Man River and Me: One Man's Journey Down the Mighty Mississippi (Paperback)

If you can't go down the Mississippi yourself, tag along with Knudsen! Meet the "river rats," see the sights, and even smell life on the river as Knudsen found it in 1993. I found this book to be entertaining AND educational. I hope Knudsen has other trips planned so I can journey along with him again.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars $93.00 fraudulent charge, May 21, 2009

By 

D. Krantz "beartrap" (albay ga.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old Man River and Me: One Man's Journey Down the Mighty Mississippi (Paperback)

this was a less than $5.00 purchase and someone either at Amazon or book vendor added a unauthorized $93.00 purchase to my credit card....I e-mailed Amazon to look into this and so far no one has bothered to respond.It has been necessary to go through hassle of having my credit card company deny the charge....Don't know if this honest mistake or fraud but am disappointed in Amazon for not communicating with me on this...