My River Chronicles: Rediscovering America on the Hudson

by Jessica DuLong

When journalist Jessica DuLong ditched her dotcom desk job to ply the waters of the Hudson River as engineer of a rusty antique fireboat, she found a taste of home in a maritime community that was quickly disappearing. In this heartfelt and marvelously illuminating book, she weaves together stories of life on the water with tales from Hudson Valley history. Published to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic voyage up the river that bears his name, My River Chronicles is a journey with an extraordinary guide. Once Jessica DuLong started toiling in the engine room of Fireboat John J. Harvey , she never looked back. The more time she spent with the boat’s finely crafted machinery, the more she wondered what America is losing in our shift away from hands-on work. Her service pumping water to fight blazes at Ground Zero following the September 11, 2001 attacks reinforced in her mind the importance of blue-collar skills. Masterfully grounding her own experiences with narratives from the river’s rich history, she introduces us to seventeenth-century explorers, nineteenth-century canal builders, and a cast of present-day characters—including a salvage diver hunting sunken tugboats, a foundryman who casts iron in the old way, and a distiller who crafts bourbon from local corn—that reminds us how colorful and dynamic the Hudson continues to be. What emerges is a celebration of labor (and leisure) from a woman who straddles blue-collar and white-collar worlds and turns a phrase as deftly as she does a wrench.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Travel, New York, Nature

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jessica DuLong is a journalist, historian, book collaborator/coach, and ghostwriter, as well as chief engineer, emerita of the retired 1931 New York City fireboat John J. Harvey.

Her latest book, "SAVED AT THE SEAWALL: Stories from the September 11 Boat Lift" (previously published as "DUST TO DELIVERANCE"), is the definitive history of the largest-ever waterborne evacuation.

Her first book, "MY RIVER CHRONICLES: Rediscovering the Work that Built America," won an American Society of Journalists and Authors Outstanding Book Award for Memoir.

Her journalism has appeared in Rolling Stone, CNN.com, Newsweek International, CNN.com, The Daily Beast, LitHub, Brevity, Nieman Storyboard, History News Network, Psychology Today, CosmoGIRL!, Newsday, and Maritime Reporter and Engineering News.

She appears in Spike Lee's HBO documentary series "NYC EPICENTERS 9/11-2021½" and, in cartoon form, in Maira Kalman's picture book, "FIREBOAT: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey."

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant first book by a young woman who is also a licensed merchant marine officer. It is not only an ode to the Hudson River, one of America's most beautiful and historic waterways, but also a thoughful essay on a vanishing breed - the inventive tinkerers and mechanical adepts for which this country was famous in olden times.

She deals with the Hudson River School artists, New York City and state politics, and the green movement. There's even a thoughtful interview with John Ratzenberger, "Cliff Claven" of Cheers, who has written a book on American inventors and spearheads a foundation that schools young women in the trades.

I want my granddaughters to read this book; it's a dandy.

[David Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

My River Chronicles: Rediscovering America on the Hudson
My read was greatly enhanced by my knowledge of the strategic geographic importance the various campaigns within the area during the Revolutionary War

The author's leaving behind the "Holy Grail" of modern day bureaucracy was caught my interest, especially because of her competence in the halls of unbridled capitalism.

And, then, she did what he heart told her to do. She became an expert in the area of her expertise. The ease with which she adapted to the culture of her new endeavor speaks loudly of the correctness of her decision.

Thank you for a very good read.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first 12 chapters of the book, I was prepared to award it 5 stars--then I got to the last four chapters, and it was like reading 2 different books. For example, the author spent a lot of time discussing a year-long attempt to repair the fire boat, but when the ship breaks down just minutes after being repaired, the second phase of the work after being towed back to New York City is barely discussed. Even though they were focused also on the Hudson River, the last 4 chapters appeared to veer off from the first 12.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating memoir. I love Jessica's writing style and her material left me wanting to know more about the Hudson River. Appreciate all the different threads she weaves and truly enjoyed the mechanical details of her job and her struggles becoming adept at what she does. So glad she made the decision to put it all down on paper. Thank you!!!

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book on the john J. Harvey, a retired fire boat in NYC, used to save people after 9/11. Lots of history of boats, the Hudson River, women in a "mans" world. I recommend it highly. 9th Retirement Readaloud.

[Dennis Tra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Displaced web designer tells of her journey from world of web design to life in the Hudson River and its history. She also speaks of importance of manual labor.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. There were quite a few facets of the book that I enjoyed or found fascinating:
- The history of the Hudson River and its' importance as a trade route, a line of defense against the British, and growth of Industry in the United States' early stages.
- The authors' feelings of loss due to America's switch to a service economy versus a manufacturer.
- The authors' experiences and reaction to sexism from being one of a very small minority of engineers on an older boat.
- The history of the old fireboats and tug boats, and the experiences of the preservationists who try to keep some around.
- The description of how her fireboat was used to fight the fires from the attack on 9/11. This was probably the shortest section of the book, but very powerfully described.

Overall, the book is well written and engaging, with the author seamlessly moving from a memoir narrative to a short, interesting history lesson.

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Time to try another non-fiction book. Unlike most, this one has nothing to do with dogs.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable memoir about one woman's path from website engineer to fireboat engineer, and much more. This book includes lengthy exploration of the history of the Hudson River, the port of New York, and of boating in New York in general, as well as a veritable treatise on old work boat mechanical engineering. I found it fascinating, thoughtfully put together, and well written, if a bit heavy-handed with nostalgia and worry about the "direction of the country" at times. While I agree with many of DuLong's concerns--especially that the US is losing its grip on the innovation and mechanical ability that made it a nation of inventors--it seemed like she belabored the point unnecessarily. If you enjoyed Shop Class as Soulcraft and wanted more about engines, this may be the book for you. Strongly recommended.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part memoir, part history of the Hudson River and part argument for returning to hand work. The memoir of Ms. DuLong's becoming an engineer on a fireboat was engrossing. A great story of a woman stepping into a traditionally male occupation. The History sections were engaging but rather thin. They seemed like padding. The argument for hand work [Ms DuLong had been in computers and left that to to the very physical job as an engineer] was worth making, but this book makes over and over again, which gets tiresome. Overall I did enjoy the book--Ms. DuLong is a talented writer-- and it has made much observant of the boats I observe daily on the river.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up because of the local connection in some of the locations. Although the majority of the story takes place in and around New York City, the boat takes trips up and down the Hudson from NY City to Albany. The author worked in Kingston NY for at least one season and had/has connections there with people with a love of boats, old boats, preserving vessels and more.

I found the book interesting, both for some of the geographic details and for the history related to fireboats and to a less extent, tugboats. The history of NY City's shipping ports provided in the book, although not complete, was more than I knew before reading the book.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, DuLong chronicles her move from a dot-com desk job to becoming the engineer of a historic New York City fireboat, which is a fascinating enough by itself – the boat assisted post-9/11, and the author experienced pervasive sexism. She also seamlessly intertwines a travelogue and history of the Hudson Valley (and the decay of its industrial past), the loss of craft and trade skills in America, art and historic preservation.

[Martha Fiorentini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alot of this book was dry, regarding the repairs and technical aspects of boating. But the parts I really enjoyed were glimpses into the fascinating past of the mighty industrial and industrious Hudson River. Having grown up in New Jersey, I have a fondness for this beautiful river and have kayaked and taken boat tours on it.

As always, it seems sad to read of more declining industries in the US.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chronicle of her personal journey and its parallels in the rich history of the Hudson River. There is many discussions over the unappreciated blue-collar work this country requires and the value of working with your hands as well as many reflections on the natural beauty of the river. This is a book worthy of reading again and again.

[Ellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of a woman who left her computer job to become a fireboat engineer. That story is blended with the history of the Hudson River and the industry that grew up along it's banks. Fascinating!

[Susan Coley · Rating 4 out of 5]

AN interesting book about the Hudson River and the boats that work on the river. Probably not everyone's cup of tea. It was especially interesting after reading Being George Washington. The Chronicles told about the foundry at West Point as did George.

[Joe]

Interesting book about the engineer on a retired NYC fireboat

[John Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical view of the Hudson River to Albany and Troy,NY. Interesting view of shipping and boating on the Hudson as well.

[Shannon Mccabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and engaging, I highly recommend this book! Great story line, tons of information, I learned so much!