travel

This fine book is a compelling mixture of armchair history and philosophy, anecdote, and personal reflection. Contrary to what Mark@zombie.com wrote in a review I otherwise second, the book does not take Graves all the way to the Gulf but stops well short of there, at Lake Whitney. (It begins at the foot of the Possum Kingdom Lake dam in Palo Pinto county.) Along his canoe trip, accompanied by his nameless "companion," a dog, Graves relates anecdotes he heard as a Fort Worth boy who grew up along the river, including much Indian and pioneer lore; he also imparts much knowledge of native flora and fauna and geology. His philosophical musings are compelling if sometimes longwinded. Some may find the prose stilted at times, but the overall feel of the book's prose is elegiac, nostaligiac, and autumnal

I first met John Graves in 1981 at a Texas Writers' Convention in Ft. Worth. I told him that I'd bought at least 30 copies of Goodbye (which was true), having lent or given outright some 29 previous copies. He autographed it, and wrote a prelogue thanking me for my good opinion of the book. Read it for yourself, and enjoy Texas history and the mind of a man who is attached to every feeder creek, low water crossing, or sweeping bend. This book is what the best and worst of Texas is all about. Read it, then come on down to the River, and catch some fish. I'll set you up with a canoe rental ...

I carried a copy of this book with me while away from Texas, while in the US Army back in '71. Every time I would get terribly lonely for home and Texas, I would read this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves history, Texas, nature, or rivers. I own several copies (five last count, as have given away half a dozen to good friends), and continue to re-read the book, as I always enjoy Mr. Graves' words, his history lessons, and his use of the English language. His imparting of the north Texas dialect is wonderful, as that dialect is the one in which I also was and am immersed. I have many other of Mr. Graves books, but GTAR is the first you should read!