In celebration of LSUP’s 80th anniversary the staff selected 80 of our most memorable titles. Adding to our “Around the Press in 80 Books” blog series, Director MaryKatherine Callaway writes about Along the River Road.
One day in 2003, not long after I moved to Louisiana, I got turned around leaving the maze of campus streets and found myself on an odd, lightly-traveled road: a mix of farms, historic buildings (some in an advanced state of decrepitude), industries, half-overgrown fields, neatly plowed fields, wild meadows—always with the Mississippi River’s levee running along one side.
Intrigued to know more, I was delighted to find on the Press’s list a remarkable book devoted to this historic roadway. Along the River Road is a perfect companion for exploring this area either in person or vicariously. Offering historically precise details combined with keen observations on its current attractions, this lively and informative book entertains and informs.
First published in 1996 and now in its third edition, Along the River Road offers accurate and thoroughly-researched information and insights into a crucial route for trade and travel. The Mississippi River provided the vital link between Northern and Southern towns in what was at one time “the West,” and the river still plays a key role in transporting goods. The fascinating stories of the many families who lived along Louisiana’s river road, the commerce of the area, and the inevitable disasters associated with such a powerful body of water provide compelling reading and a wonderful guide to the area. Get a copy now because you never know when you might find yourself there.
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