I loved this book. I had never heard of John Graves. My bad. This book was first published in 1960 but it reads like it could have been written last week. Knowing the great Brazos River was about to receive a series of dams, Graves sets out on a three-week, solo canoe trip, with his dog, down this river rich in lore.
Goodbye to a River reveals the intensely violent history of Texas and the gradual pacification of the river and the surrounding communities. But if you are a staunch anti-environment type you should still read this book just to read the passages about changing seasons, hunting and fishing and the detailed history of some of the characters that called this river home. This is a beautiful book. And yes, he shoots ducks and squirrels along the way. And eats them.
Get it, read it.