Customer Reviews

Stepping Twice into the River

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I gave this book as a gift to my husband who is from the area. As he was reading it he constantly came and told me about places the author was talking about, and how we need to go and explore some areas.

John King, as a retired English Professor, wrote here a classic gem of a travel book. It blends his deep reading and understanding of the geology and history of a seemingly drab and neglected region while slowly traveling the length of the Sheyenne River in North Dakota. He provides accurate observations and interesting encounters with natives not always at their best. With his heartfelt fondness for the region and sadness over the inexorable depopulation hitting this area as with the entire North American center he philosophizes on the greater things touching all mortals struggling to live fully awake on earth. He ends his reflections often on ironic tones of ambiguity which as a reader you will find yourself looking forward to and smiling inwardly. As a conscientious teacher of English and poet he exhibits outstanding literary craftsmanship, invoking spot-on local odd little speech inflections and word choices. Since I'm from the area I know I'll be returning often to this book to review his geological and historical understandings - outshining much larger and boring volumes. People not from this area can learn about a real trip down a small North Dakota river; but even more, all can learn how a classic travel book should be crafted. You will never believe the surprise ending!