A riveting narrative look at one of the most colorful, dangerous, and peculiar places in America’s historical landscape: the strange, wonderful, and mysterious Mississippi River of the 19th century. Beginning in the early 1800s and climaxing with the siege of Vicksburg in 1863, Wicked River brings to life a place where river pirates brushed elbows with future presidents and religious visionaries … religious visionaries shared passage with thieves. Here is a minute-by-minute account of Natchez being flattened by a tornado; the St. Louis harbor being crushed by a massive ice floe; hidden, nefarious celebrations of Mardi Gras; and the sinking of the Sultana, the worst naval disaster in American history. Here, too, is the Mississippi itself: gorgeous, perilous, and unpredictable. Masterfully told, Wicked River is an exuberant work of Americana that portrays a forgotten society on the edge of revolutionary change.
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As a big fan of Lee Sandlin (“Storm Kings” is the best!), I listened to this book about a year ago, so I probably won’t remember everything exactly – however, I do remember it being very interesting for most of the book. (I began to loose a little interest as the history steered away from the River and towards the Civil War time.)
On the whole, …
Even though this book is non-fiction, I found it highly entertaining. History is fascinating, and this one goes into great detail to paint a fantastic, colorful picture of where America has been. If you want to feel better about the state of our country today, turn off the TV and read this book!!
I found the 1st half of the book very interesting but it became a little tedious and I gave up on it. I may go back & finish later.
Good book. Interesting.
Enjoyed the stories of early residents, towns, natural disasters and natural changes in the river before man tried to tame her.
Fantastic and much untold history of the mighty Mississippi. I enjoy and read quite a bit about American history and this book was informative and readable. I learned a lot as I turned those pages!
Learned a lot I didn’t know about the use and abuse of the river. Good change of pace book.
The history of the river beyond Mark Twain. Absolutely fascinating. Having lived in the Mississippi River Valley for about 30 years, I learned much that I’d never knew or even imagined.
Learned more about the Mississippi than I had previously known. Enjoyable read.
An uneven book. The first few chapters were well researched and tightly written. As it progressed, it became “a little of this, a little of that,” just stories strung together that vaguely connected to the Mississippi. It needed a tougher editor.
Interesting and alternately funny and scary book about the early commercial history of the Mississippi River during Mark Twain’s time, Add the Audible book for an appropriate accent and realistic mannerisms.
I bought this book for my husband. He tries to read everything I purchase for him, but not all are a hit. This one definitely is a hit.
Interesting rehash of old information. It got boring.
Interesting history of 19th Century conspiracy theories and how they frightened people and made the Civil War more likely. Much else besides from many original sources. The Mississippi River has been re-engineered and mythologized; this lets you see both the reality of its past.