The Great River

The Making and Unmaking of the Mississippi

By: Boyce Upholt

Narrated by: Gabriel Vaughan

A sweeping history of the Mississippi River—and the centuries of human meddling that have transformed both it and America.

Over thousands of years, the Mississippi watershed was home to millions of Indigenous people who regarded "the great river" with awe and respect, adorning its banks with astonishing spiritual earthworks. But European settlers and American pioneers had a different vision: the river was a foe to conquer. In this landmark work of natural history, Boyce Upholt tells the epic story of human attempts to own and contain the Mississippi River, from Thomas Jefferson's expansionist land hunger through today's era of environmental concern. He reveals how an ambitious and sometimes contentious program of engineering-government-built levees, jetties, dikes, and dams-has not only damaged once-vibrant ecosystems, but may not work much longer, and explores how scientists are scrambling to restore what's been lost.

Rich and powerful, The Great River delivers a startling account of what happens when we try to fight against nature instead of acknowledging and embracing its power.

©2024 Boyce Upholt (P)2024 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Entire geological, anthropological, social, political, technological, economic history of America.

Brilliant gripping book. Every topic deserves a book of its own. Fast and deep and fascinating and troubling. A book worthy of its subject.

Well Told Story of A Great American River

This is a well told story, full of interesting details about human interaction and attempts to control the river. History, engineering, politics and ecology all interwoven. The performance was excellent. Fun read.

Ecology Component

This book follows the historical geology of the mighty Mississippi, adding human anecdotes throughout to create a captivating narrative. I’m a nature geek, curriculum developer, ecology instructor. This work is well researched albeit slanted toward my personal beliefs. Maybe that’s why I liked it?

The Mississippi River - it's past and future

Upholt's book delves into the recent history amd possible future of the Mississuppi River. Well-written and well-researched, the book grapples with the fact that there are no easy answers.

Good reader, very educational book

I learned a lot from this book, but never felt bored. I enjoyed the reader, he was easy to listen to.