A stunning success...Raban takes us floating through the heart of America...more successful than 99% of the books about America since De Tocqueville's Democracy in America' New York Times

'Mr Raban has a keen ear, but, for the river itself, he has to evince not only a keen eye but a capacity to use a painter's palette. He gives us the strong brown god in all its rage, sullenness and beauty' Anthony Burgess, Observer

'This is a fascinating and enchanting book. It is never dull, and yet there are facts aplenty to be picked up on the way. I enjoyed every mile of the journey' Evening Standard