Canoeing Mississippi (Hardcover)

by Ernest Herndon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Offering lively currents, big woods, abundant wildlife, and plenty of solitude, the great number and variety of Mississippi's waterways debunk the stereotype of muddy, stagnant sloughs harboring clouds of mosquitoes and swarms of snakes.

Outsiders-and even some native Mississippi paddlers-may not be acquainted with the pleasurable surprises of the Delta's lazy, slow-moving rivers or with the sandy streams of southwest Mississippi, the rock-walled creeks in the northeast, the blackwater brooks of the southeast, the gem-clear streams of the Gulf Coast, or central Mississippi's lustrous, meandering Pearl River and its sparkling tributaries and ox-bow lakes.

This handy, instructive book showcasing them all is for armchair travelers as well as for paddlers planning an excursion. It includes history, folklore, geology, wildlife, ecology, fishing techniques, plus some rousing adventure stories. Focused on the Mississippi environment, it provides information on boats, paddle strokes, gear, camping, and navigation. Streams are described and charted, and at the end of each description quick references of essential facts are provided for those planning a float.

Mississippi boasts well over 2000 miles of waterways, which range from tiny creeks and bayous to the mighty Mississippi River itself, not to mention vast swamps and countless lakes, many of which are profiled in this book.

Although these waters are relished by those who bond with the out-of-doors, the ominous problems of erosion, litter, pollution, channelization, crowds, and lawsuits are of great significance. Canoeing Mississippi helps awaken the public to sensible use and preservation of this wonderful natural resource.

Ernest Herndon is a staff writer and outdoors editor of the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He has written several books and has been published in such anthologies as The Magnolia Club: Fine Times with Nature's Finest and From Behind the Magnolia Curtain: Voices of Mississippi. See the author's Web site at www.ernestherndon.com.

From the Inside Flap
The complete guidebook for paddling the rivers and streams of Mississippi

Product Details

• Hardcover: 258 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578062217
• ISBN-13: 978-1578062218
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,536,476 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Canoeing Mississippi, July 17, 2007

By	Tami Brady "Whole Health Therapist" (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Canoeing Mississippi (Paperback)

Canoeing Mississippi is a complete guide to traveling along the Mississippi River systems. Within this guide is information, tips, and hints for both the inexperienced and the experienced canoeist. This book also details six Mississippi River systems: The Mississippi and Its Tributaries, Northeast Mississippi, The Pascagoula River System, Coastal Waters, The Pearl River Basin, and Lakes.

The two chapters of this book supply an overview of the Mississippi Rivers as well as canoeing information for the beginner and for those advanced canoeists that have never traversed the Mississippi River systems. This very detailed information includes everything from tips on equipment and packing lists, through navigation and paddling instructions, to camping and fishing hints. Furthermore, all of this information is explained in an easy to understand way.

The river system chapters contain a common, organized, easy to access format. At the beginning of each chapter is a map of the general region. After this map, are sections examining individual rivers within that specific Mississippi River system. Each of these rivers is described in detail including information on the river, canoeing challenges along these routes, and any necessary portage points. The author also notes sights to see along each particular river as well as some very interesting and entertaining information on the environment, geology, history, and archaeology of that area. At the end of the text are also a number of very helpful summaries containing useful information such the various routes, area campgrounds, high points, low points, and tips specific to that river. Furthermore, each chapter includes scenic black and white photographs of the area.

Canoeing Mississippi is a wonderful book for both those individuals interested in canoeing any of the Mississippi River systems or those that just dream of traveling along the Mississippi. This book gives easy to understand instructions on traveling each route while artfully lending the canoeist interesting information about the environment, geology, history, and archaeology of these areas to further his or her enjoyment of the journey. By the end of this book, the reader will find him or herself yearning to canoe the Mississippi rivers systems.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great guide to Mississippi (The State) waters, January 13, 2009

By	S. Hunter (Mississippi, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Canoeing Mississippi (Paperback)

The fellow above didn't read a book description, bought a book, realized it wasn't the book he thought it was, and then gave it a bum review? Neither the title nor the description are deceptive. Seems to me the problem described by the previous review stems not from the book or its description. Did you not know that Mississippi is a state as well as a river? This is a very well written book and covers the streams, rivers, estuaries, and lakes in MISSISSIPPI (THE STATE) in a knowledgeable and informative manner.