The Riverman

by Stewart Edward White, 1stworld Library (Editor)

The time was the year 1872, and the place a bend in the river above a long pond terminating in a dam. Beyond this dam, and on a flat lower than it, stood a two-story mill structure. Save for a small, stump-dotted clearing, and the road that led from it, all else was forest. Here in the bottom-lands, following the course of the stream, the hardwoods grew dense, their uppermost branches just beginning to spray out in the first green of spring. Farther back, where the higher lands arose from the swamp, could be discerned the graceful frond of white pines and hemlock, and the sturdy tops of Norways and spruce. A strong wind blew up the length of the pond. It ruffled the surface of the water, swooping down in fan-shaped, scurrying cat's-paws, turning the dark-blue surface as one turns the nap of velvet. At the upper end of the pond it even succeeded in raising quite respectable wavelets, which LAP LAP LAPPED eagerly against a barrier of floating logs that filled completely the mouth of the inlet river. And behind this barrier were other logs, and yet others, as far as the eye could see, so that the entire surface of the stream was carpeted by the brown timbers. A man could have walked down the middle of that river as down a highway.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

408 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1908

About the author

From about 1900 until about 1922, he wrote fiction and non-fiction about adventure and travel, with an emphasis on natural history and outdoor living. Starting in 1922, he and his wife Elizabeth "Betty" Grant White wrote numerous books they claimed were received through channelling with spirits. They also wrote of their travels around the state of California. White died in Hillsborough, California.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a turn-of-the century (as in 19th to 20th century) book that wound up in my collection, then sat and waited quietly for me to find it. It tells the story of the men who worked the logs on the rivers, back when that was the main way to get lumber from the forests to the cities. The author writes the story as fiction but there is so much detail and knowledge that you immediately buy in to the main characters.

Plus, there is a twist. A simple twist, yet one I did not expect. That kept me going as I hungrily ate it all up. Now, I can hold dinner conversations about the logging industry back in the late 19th century.

Book Season = Year Round (sawmilling)

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read what I believe is a "first edition" attracted by the picture on the cover. It is written in 1908 and takes place in the 1860's to 1875 or so. The principal character is Jack Orde, a talented log handler. The logs are brought to the riverside, and it is the job of Jack and his team to get the logs into the water and down river to the mills.
There is a lot to learn about this occupation and for the most part I found it interesting. Some serious flooding of the river cause terrible problems for Jack later in the book, and the solving of this problem went on for perhaps longer than it needed to for me, the dear reader. However, overall the story and subject matter were both suspenseful and interesting.
There is a side-story of his romancing a young lady, and the love they shared throughout the book. They had one child, Bob.
Another side story I must keep to myself as it is a major "spoiler". It adds seriously to the suspense, about 2/3 through the book.
I don't suppose you will ever come across this book, but if you do, it is worth taking up.

[Mike Orta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is light reading but fun. I found the 1908 copy in a used book store but it can still be bought as a new edition. It takes place around 1870 to 1884. Fun quotes: "tell the truth and shame the devil" and "for twenty years I been wearin' crape on my hat in memory of my departed virtues"