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Explorers of the Mississippi

2002
•
Author:

Timothy Severin

Explorers of the Mississippi

Spirited stories of the heroes and scoundrels who explored the Big Muddy—now back in print!

The Mississippi River has intrigued the footloose for centuries. Here, for the first time in paperback, are briskly told biographies of the chief protagonists in the drama, with Old Man River as the constant and invincible antagonist. From conquistadors to nineteenth-century gentlemen explorers, Severin depicts the disasters and adventures of familiar, but often misunderstood, figures in American history, as well as the chicanery of others, less well known, who used the river for their own purposes.

Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage Series

A first-rate piece of work, rich in period and personality. Severin considers the true elucidators of the river—Joliet, Marquette, La Salle, and Henry de Tonti—plus a smattering of frauds and dilettantes, among whom he includes Lieutenant Zebulon Pike.

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New Yorker

The Mississippi River has intrigued the footloose for centuries. Here, for the first time in paperback, are briskly told biographies of the chief protagonists in the drama, with Old Man River as the constant and invincible antagonist. From conquistadors to nineteenth-century gentlemen explorers, Timothy Severin depicts the disasters and adventures of familiar, but often misunderstood, figures in American history, as well as the chicanery of others, less well known, who used the river for their own purposes.


Explorers of the Mississippi

Historian Timothy Severin has made a career of retracing and writing about epic voyages. His myriad adventures include canoeing the Mississippi River from beginning to end, sailing the path of St. Brendan the Navigator across the Atlantic Ocean, and journeying on horseback in Mongolia in search of Ghenghis Khan’s heritage. He lives in Ireland.

Explorers of the Mississippi

A first-rate piece of work, rich in period and personality. Severin considers the true elucidators of the river—Joliet, Marquette, La Salle, and Henry de Tonti—plus a smattering of frauds and dilettantes, among whom he includes Lieutenant Zebulon Pike.

—

New Yorker

Traveling side by side with each of his intrepid voyagers, Severin will make every armchair Huck Finn yearn to sign up for the next trip.

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New York Times Book Review

Enthralling book.

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Evening News