Brightsurf Science News and Current Science News Events
 

View Larger Image

The Last River Rat: Kenny Salwey's Life in the Wild


by J Scott Bestul

List Price: $12.95
Price: $11.01
You Save: $1.94 (15%)
Available: Usually ships in 24 hours
Sales Rank: 536767
Studio: Voyageur Press
Binding: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: September 25, 2005
Publisher: Voyageur Press


EDITORIAL REVIEWS

Product Description
Kenny Salwey is a modern-day American hermit who has lived most of his life in the Mississippi river bottoms, coming to know the river ecosystem with an intimacy unavailable to most. Now, Kenny shares his love of, and knowledge about, the mighty river. "The Last River Rat" is a seasonal look at Kenny’s unique life. Each chapter covers a month of Kenny’s year and starts by detailing his activities--such as deer hunting, ginseng digging, or mushroom picking--and closes with one of Kenny’s own "Rat Tales": his personal thoughts on various aspects of his way of life, such as the importance of dogs or memories of other river rats with whom he has crossed paths. Through Kenny--a true naturalist who provides sage advice about living off the land and protecting the river’s ecology--and "The Last River Rat", you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the natural world.


CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 4 reviews)

Great Book  
This is my kind of book. It brought back some great memories for me. in my younger days. What a great story teller. If you like the outdoors and hunting & fishing this is a must read.
March 19, 2008

A man's book  
An interesting peak into another life style. As a woman, I feel like I'm looking into a man's life, but a life that I can't relate to. I know there are men out there who would love this book. Since I am not a hunter and have no desire to build a cabin - I put the book down. I will definitely send it to a man who loves the great outdoors, hunting, and exploring. It would make a great gift.
March 09, 2008

The Last River Rat  
I have never met Kenny, but after reading this book, it seems as though I have known him most of my life. I grew up on a farm in Winona County in the 50's and 60's hunting and fishing every chance I had. Reading chapter after chapter, from my experiences which are a bit different, but similar, than Kenny's, I relived part of my life again and many of the phrases found in the book jogged my memory nicely. I spent four years at Winona State and did my share of fishing below the dam and wandering around some of the backwaters on the Wisconsin side of the river amid much of the wildlife Kenny encountered. Each almanac chapter, as well as the Rat Tales, are filled with information and feelings that only a true naturalist could convey. This book is a facinating account of a river rat's calendar year and all the beauty and excitement in and around the Mississippi River from one month to the next. A must read for anyone who lives in this area or wishes they did.
March 27, 2006

Most Honest Accounting of "A River Rat"  
I have known Kenny since 1980, although I've only started reading this story I am extremely comfortable with the pace and grace Mr. Bestul uses. Kenny is everything the book says he is a very hard working, deliberate, honest, kind and caring person, without a mean bone in him. I've shared stories and bread with Kenny, and he really is the type of person you would like to know personally. Mary Kay's illustrations are graceful and a pleasure to view alongside this wonderful story.
In my opinion this book is a must for any outdoorsman, or for a quiet read next to a fire. I sincerely hope you enjoy Kenny's story as much as I am.
June 15, 2002


SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Kenny Salwey's Tales of a River Rat: Adventures Along The Wild Mississippi
by Kenny Salwey

Immortal River: The Upper Mississippi in Ancient and Modern Times
by Calvin R. Fremling

The Great Duck Misunderstanding and Other Stories: The Very Best of American Fishing & Hunting Humor
by Brian R. Peterson, Brian R. Peterson

One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey (Annivers
by Sam Keith, Richard Proenneke

Truck: A Love Story (P.S.)
by Michael Perry

© 2008 BrightSurf.com