Rivers of Kentucky

"The voyage will carry you out of yourself and back home to your own river, your own story, your own roll to Eternity." The rivers of Kentucky rise in her mountains and flow irresistibly to the sea. Travel these rivers with David and Lalie Dick as they journey across Kentucky, and meet the men and women who call these waters home. Whether you put in your canoe on the wild waters of Rockcastle, or join the crew for a hearty breakfast on a fogbound Ohio River towboat, or trace the Echo and Styx in the mysterious depths of Mammoth Cave, the rivers of Kentucky will draw you into their spell, for their story is the story of her people. Join the authors for a rollicking Washington's birthday fox hunt with "Radio" Stewart, for visits with chairmaker Terry Ratliff, tomato man James "Buck" Terry, sharpener James Smith. Savor intimate moments with writers Wendell Berry and James Still, shepherd and artist Dobree Adams, hand typesetter Gray Zeitz. Hear music teacher Ione Duke play Scott Joplin on the Green. Enjoy towboat pilot John Carson's "big bull" story. Meet Michael, Miranda, Barry, Bill, Catherine, Dorothy, Eugene, Max, Buck, and Big John. Or relive history. Tour Hatfield-McCoy feud country. Revisit the infamous Harpe Brothers murders and the Livermore lynching. Reenact the Civil War with modern-day Johhny Rebs and Billy Yanks. Recall the days of Betty Blake, Doc Hawley, and Ginny Bennett on the Ohio, Ray Oliver and Ivan Lawless on the Cumberland, and Richard P'Poole on the Little. Journey across Kentucky to that great confluence where all of her waters surrender to the mighty Mississippi for that final roll to the sea.