Goodbye to a River

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Summary: Graves tells us about ourselves while telling us about Texas
Review: A great story that incorporates history, the outdoors, and philosophy. With the rugged country of the upper Brazos river as his backdrop, Graves takes you on an enjoyable journey that you hope will never end. You hear tales of the "Old West" and modern Texas as well. Graves' thoughts as he travels alone on the Brazos are classic for their insight and humor. I highly reccomend this book to all Texans, or anyone who wants to feel like a Texan for a while. I'm buying another Graves book soon.

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Summary: John Graves "ruminations" on Texas living
Review: As a Texan, I found this book to be a wonderful heartfelt tribute to Mr. Graves love of the Brazos River which included a lot of local history. I formerly lived in that area and have also canoed on the river and so I enjoyed his thoughts very much. I now live in the Hill Country and he wrote a book called "From A Limestone Ledge" that deals with his ruminations on life in our area! It is a pretty good one too! I agree that sometimes he gets a little "wordy" but I think it is still worth reading!

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Summary: The importance of this book is undescribable.
Review: For those of you who love the Brazos river this is a must have book. The book informs the reader on the importance of the Brazos river for the Spanish , the American indian, the ranchers and for the many people today who love to paddle it waters to feel the spirit it possess.

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Summary: It can't be good if it's not readable........
Review: I am a person who will persevere through a book just to allow it to redeem itself. I tried, I tried, I really tried. I even skipped around to various passages, hoping to find something that would convince me to read this book. I couldn't. There was ONE lovely snippet early on about camping with the dog that ignited a flicker of hope but that was it. His language is rambling and did not engage me. I can't ascribe this to the date of the novel, as much, much older books have held me captive despite difficult language and phraseology. Honestly, it was boring. The plot? Well, it started out with a man's journey back to the river of his childhood that was about to be dammed out of existence. I think although that was all I read, that's all you need to know.
I can't ascribe my dislike of this book to my gender as I read more novels by males and abhor "chick books". I suppose if you are local to that area, it holds some interest if you can work your way through the rambling language. But this was money ill-spent and I don't even have the heart to give it to a dear male friend of mine who usually enjoys novels of this type. I know even he would agree with me.
The illustrations were as bad as the text too. If you can imagine...

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Summary: A piece of Texas to carry with you
Review: I carried a copy of this book with me while away from Texas, while in the US Army back in '71. Every time I would get terribly lonely for home and Texas, I would read this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves history, Texas, nature, or rivers. I own several copies (five last count, as have given away half a dozen to good friends), and continue to re-read the book, as I always enjoy Mr. Graves' words, his history lessons, and his use of the English language. His imparting of the north Texas dialect is wonderful, as that dialect is the one in which I also was and am immersed. I have many other of Mr. Graves books, but GTAR is the first you should read!

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Summary: WATER.WOODS.WORDS
Review: I first met John Graves in 1981 at a Texas Writers' Convention in Ft. Worth. I told him that I'd bought at least 30 copies of Goodbye (which was true), having lent or given outright some 29 previous copies. He autographed it, and wrote a prelogue thanking me for my good opinion of the book. Read it for yourself, and enjoy Texas history and the mind of a man who is attached to every feeder creek, low water crossing, or sweeping bend. This book is what the best and worst of Texas is all about. Read it, then come on down to the River, and catch some fish. I'll set you up with a canoe rental ...

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Summary: This is the Gospel of St.; John
Review: I first met John Graves in 1981 at a Texas Writers' Convention in Ft. Worth. I told him that I'd bought at least 30 copies of Goodbye (which was true), having lent or given outright some 29 previous copies. He autographed it, and wrote a prelogue thanking me for my good opinion of the book. Read it for yourself, and enjoy Texas history and the mind of a man who is attached to every feeder creek, low water crossing, or sweeping bend. This book is what the best and worst of Texas is all about. Read it, then come on down to the River, and catch some fish. I'll set you up with a canoe rental ...

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Summary: Much bigger than Texas
Review: I first read this book 15 years ago. And although I've never been to that part of Texas, I feel as if I know Mr. Graves' stretch of the Brazos as well as the back of my hand. I have always felt guilty for never writing him a fan letter. He deserves as much credit as Wallace Stegner, Edward Abbey, John McPhee and all the rest or our naturalist philosophers for his beautiful prose and endlessly ruminative mind. I know that at least one reviewer found the book dull, and I have no capacity for empathy. In fact, I recently purchased, through Amazon, an autographed copy of the book with Mr. Graves' own photographs, for [$$]. If my son loves this book someday as much as I have, I'll consider my life a success. It is that good.

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Summary: An excellent book for anyone interested in Texas history.
Review: I live 25 miles from the spot on the Brazos river where John Graves begins his tale. I have floated this section of the river many times. Reading this book before making the trip makes the float immeasurably more interesting. Each time you come to a certain spot or bend in the river, you recall the tale the author related about the history surrounding that particular spot. This is a great book for anyone who has ever floated or would like to float this section of the Brazos river.

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Summary: A classic.
Review: I reread this book every November for several years in a row. When I misplaced my paperback copy I went looking on the internet, hoping to find a used copy. I was pleased to find it still available in hardback. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history, both natural and otherwise.