River of Memory: The Everlasting Columbia
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1994
160
Book • Nonfiction
Columbia River • 20th Century
1994
Adult
10+ years
River of Memory: The Everlasting Columbia, edited by William D. Layman, is a non-fiction coffee-table book featuring photographs, illustrations, and writings tracing the Columbia River from its source in the Canadian Rockies to the Oregon Pacific coast. It serves as an elegy for the pre-dam river, highlighting the effects of dam construction, especially on salmon populations and Native communities. The book is divided into four sections following the river's course, accompanied by detailed illustrations of fish species and annotated writings introducing the region's people, flora, and fauna.
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Inspirational
Informative
Melancholic
11 ratings
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Mixed feelings
Not a fan
River of Memory: The Everlasting Columbia by William D. Layman immerses readers in the historical and cultural tapestry of the Columbia River. Its evocative photography and detailed accounts are highly praised. However, some critics find the narrative overly nostalgic, occasionally sacrificing analytical depth for sentimentality. Overall, it's a visually compelling and informative read.
Readers who revel in environmental history, evocative photography, and indigenous narratives will appreciate William D. Layman's River of Memory: The Everlasting Columbia. Similar in appeal to Simon Winchester's The River at the Center of the World, it's ideal for those passionate about natural landscapes and cultural heritage.
11 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
160
Book • Nonfiction
Columbia River • 20th Century
1994
Adult
10+ years
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