Customer Reviews

The San Marcos: A River's Story (River Books, sponsored by The River Systems Institute at Texas State University)

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I attended a book signing in the Gonzales County Courthouse and heard the author speak about this book. I was very interested by what I heard and became more so after glancing through the illustrations. Later, after having read it, I have to admit it answered so many nagging questions I'd had over the years. A veteran of the Great Flood of '98, for example, I was most interested in learning about the Soil Conservation Service reservoirs, designed to lessen flood damage in the watershed, but inadvertently contributing to future silting problems. And I'd heard of logging operations in Luling, but never met anyone who knew anything about it. These and other questions found answers in this book, which is beautifully written and illustrated. Well worth reading.

Very well written and the photography compliments the script. Great husband and wife team work on this. You won't want to put it down once you start reading.
Well worth the money.

Ok, in the spirit of full disclosure I'll state right off that I live in fairly close proximity to the San Marcos River. I reside in Lockhart, Texas, a short 15-minute drive to the banks in either Fentress or the city of San Marcos itself. I'll also disclose that I've lived here for 14+ years and only recently made deeper inroads into discovering more information about this beautiful and somewhat fragile river snaking through my geographic backyard. That will certainly change, as this gorgeous and informative book has opened my eyes to the deep history and lore of the areas nourished by this vibrant and living thread of water.

This book might just be the best piece of regional Texana that I've read in the last couple of years. Written and photographed by bona fide river rats Jim Kimmell and Jerry Touchstone Kimmell, the folksy text is amply supported by a wealth of photos, maps, and historical prints that trace the path and life ways along the river.

Author and photographer clearly love their river, and each chapter of this book is a revelation of discovery and shared knowledge. The reader is taken on a historical and physical journey from the spring-fed headwaters all the way to the eventual convergence with the Guadalupe River, some 76 miles downstream as the fish swims. Along the way you will encounter the river's flora and fauna, the dams and mills and the towns that grew around them, and of course the people who call the San Marcos River home.

Like most rivers in Texas and indeed the nation itself, the San Marcos is endangered. Increasing development along the San Antonio-San Marcos-Austin corridor threatens the water quality and water levels in the Edwards Aquifer, a direct danger to the San Marcos River since the Edwards Aquifer is the source of the river's headwaters. If the flow is severely curtailed or stops, then the San Marcos becomes just another wet-weather runoff creek, effectively killing it as a natural wonder and home to several endangered species. This book is a powerful call for conservancy and stewardship of the San Marcos River, and all of the life and history that it supports.

I can't recommend this book enough, especially if you live anywhere near the San Marcos River. Like the river itself, it's beautiful and understated, and well worth having in your library.