Why people recommend it
Riverman: An American Odyssey by Ben McGrath is a compelling nonfiction work that follows the life and tragic disappearance of a dedicated canoeist who patrolled the Hudson River. On The Book Review podcast airing on July 18, 2024, in an episode titled Fiction About Lives in Ukraine, host John Williams introduced the author to discuss the publication. Williams noted that McGrath had worked as a staff writer at The New Yorker magazine since 2003 before returning to the subject to anchor his American odyssey. Later in the conversation, as Williams concluded the interview, he reiterated the title and author, thanking McGrath for appearing on the program to share the background of the project. Listeners interested in modern American river culture and human dedication find the biography striking for its focus on a singular, driven individual navigating the waterways of New York. The title captures a unique slice of local geography and personal obsession, mapped out through rigorous journalistic reporting and heartfelt storytelling by an established magazine writer who spent years tracking his subject across regional landmarks.
Who recommended it
- John Williams Recommended
John Williams — 2 mentions
“he has been a staff writer at the New Yorker magazine since 2003 and his new book is River man an American Odyssey”
“the book again is Riverman an American Odyssey by Ben McGrath Ben thanks so much for being here to talk about it”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“you may remember earlier this year I reviewed Ben McGrath's book Riverman about a solo canoeist who did these kind of Epic Journeys”