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Rating: 
Summary: Gacefully concise, brilliant
Review: Gracefully concise, brilliant, Beltrami's River is a noval of a 19th century explorer that journeys were only the brave have gone. This book is exilarating to read and gives true meaning to the word adventure. I recommend this book to everyone except those who are afraid of the truth.
Rating: 
Summary: Drama, Education, Spirituality
Review: Start at the back. I know this sounds crazy but, by the time I finished Beltrami's River, I wanted to go back and read it all over again -- based upon the Postscript. Shaw has an amazing ability to describe Italian explorer Beltrami's discoveries, not only of the source of river, but also the source of human nature. I was dazzled over the author's historical knowledge and, especially, his respect for the natural world. Shaw confidently depicts the lingo heard aboard crude sailing ships as well as the spirituality of Native Americans. My image of early America has changed because of Shaw's revelations on Beltrami. Yes, the book sometimes graphically reports violence, but it more than compensates with gentle life lessons learned outside the battles. Beltrami focused on a dream, realized his dream and celebrated all that a man can ever hope to celebrate. But was he right? Did he finally discover the true source of the Mississippi? No matter, the incidental discoveries were worth the arduous trip. This is a fascinating tale, based upon a true story, so you can go to Google for a bit of background on the various opinions as to the source of the Mississippi River. Happy Reading.
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