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| View Larger Image | From the Bottom Up: One Man's Crusade to Clean America's Rivers
by Chad Pregracke, Jeff Barrow
| | List Price: | $26.00 | | Price: | $18.98 | | You Save: | $7.02 (27%) |  | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours | | | | | Sales Rank: | 450278 | | Studio: | National Geographic | | | Binding: | Hardcover | | Number Of Pages: | 320 | | Publication Date: | April 10, 2007 | | Publisher: | National Geographic |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
Chad Pregracke was a high school student when he first glimpsed the trash that littered the bottom of the Mississippi, a shocking sight that launched him on a quest to clean up the river. After four discouraging years seeking government help without success, he decided to take his fund-raising private—and a corporate sponsor decided to take a chance on this naive but unshakably determined young man.
Ten years later Chad's one-man project has grown into a $500,000 operation with more than 60 sponsors (including National Geographic). His work has been featured on national news and won numerous honors and accolades, but its grassroots, can-do spirit still thrives aboard the 135-foot barge that serves as home base for his organization, a floating environmental classroom, and an inspiration to people of all ages.
This is the story of his personal triumph as an advocate for America's rivers. Chad measures success in tons of garbage removed and thousands of people with a new stake in—and a new understanding of—the river environment. But From the Bottom Up is much more as well: a first-person chronicle of Chad's own life along the Mississippi featuring colorful characters, a near-death experience, a haunted swamp, and other flourishes worthy of a modern Mark Twain; and a fascinating portrait of the river itself which explores everything from the natural history of mussels and catfish to Indian lore to the key role of the Mississippi in our country's history. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 8 reviews)
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One of the good people 
This is a well-told story of, well, "One Man's Crusade to Clean America's Rivers". Starting from a shoestring budget, a handful of friends, and a defunct local rock band, he grows his operation until it is able to support multiple barges and a floating classroom. It's encouraging to see that one person can make such a difference, even in the face of a patchwork of state and federal laws which make it difficult.
The first half of this book, as he is building his operation and suffering certain setbacks, is the more entertaining. There's even a villain, the game warden of Burlington, who seems intent on stopping Chad with any excuse he can find. By about the midpoint Chad is adept at handling the different situations, and so the theatrical interest of the book is no longer as great, although his accomplishments here are still interesting and important.
Chad has a hilarious response to a room of businessmen when asked what his "political platform" is. This is not a book about politics, or even necessarily about environmentalism. This is a book about a boy who got tired of seeing trash on the river, who became a man capable of fixing it.
February 28, 2008 | |
clean up 
A book that shows how one person can make a change for the better. He started cleaning by himself and then built a team to take it all to the next step.
January 27, 2008 | |
I loved this book! 
After years of trying to live lightly and do the right thing, I still see people throwing trash out of their car windows for Pete's sake! I was starting to think that litter and garbage everywhere was the way we were going to have to live.
Then I saw Chad's story on CBS Sunday Morning and when they mentioned his book, I bought it instantly. What a story. What an uplifting book.
This is easy to read, exciting, funny and incredibly inspiring.
I raced through it and then gave it to my husband to read. When he finished, he asked "when are we going to help Chad? Have you signed us up yet?" What I wouldn't give to meet Chad and help him pick up garbage.
Whether you care about the earth, love rivers and river wildlife or even just like an adventure read, I would highly recommend that you buy this book.
November 01, 2007 | |
We need more people like this!
It's a great book that details how one person saw a need for change no matter what it took. Chad perservered (and continues to) and has created this movement that draws in sponsors, staff and volunteers who are happy and willing to help with enthusiasim. It's very well written and makes for a good read. Thanks Chad and Jeff - keep up the good work!
August 23, 2007 | |
Fantastic!
I could not be more engaged in the book than I am - it is so thrilling and to read about the experiences they have had it makes you wish that you could have been there! It is just excellent! I love it - and I'm so excited when I carry the book somewhere and people ask me what I'm reading because I can't wait to tell people some of the CRAZY things that have happened to Chad and his crew.
ANYONE could read this book and thoroughly enjoy it - I even share parts of the book with my 6 year old son who can't wait to get back out the XStream Clean up this year!
It's amazing how he can take something seemingly so mundane as picking up garbage - write a book about it - and it is just an amazing adventure!
June 15, 2007 | |
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