The River and I

John Gneisenau NeihardtProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.8

Word count: 231K words
Chapters: 24

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The River and I by John G. NeihardtAuthor: Neihardt, John G., 1881-1973,Language: English, Class: F590.3: United States local history: The West. Trans-Mississippi Region. Great Plains, Release Date: Oct 3, 2005

Editor's review

The River and I is a work by American author John G. Neihardt, a public-domain ebook released free by Project Gutenberg. The title points directly to the river and the "I"; its classification places it in the local history of the West beyond the Mississippi and the Great Plains, with the flavor of travel writing and personal observation. Neihardt's writing often concerns the relationship between nature, place, and people, and this book serves as a text for understanding the river landscapes of the American West and early travel narrative. It is not a systematic local gazetteer, nor a plot-driven novel; readers need to follow the narrator's perspective and pace. For Chinese readers, the plain English original is readable and can serve as an entry point to American nature writing and regional writing. Consulting a map for the geographical locations mentioned in the book is recommended to better appreciate the relationship between river space and narrative.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in American nature writing and travel literature
Readers who want to learn about the rivers of the American West and regional writing of the Great Plains
Readers with some English proficiency willing to read public-domain English originals
Readers who enjoy essayistic narration and do not require a strong plot

Not a good fit for

Readers hoping for a complete general history or local gazetteer of the American West
Readers who struggle with English reading and are unwilling to look up words or maps
Novel readers who prefer tight plotting and dramatic conflict

Reading tips

Keep a map of the United States at hand while reading and mark the rivers and place names as they appear to build a sense of space.
Proceed chapter by chapter; after each chapter, note the narrator's changes of location and focus of observation to grasp the thread.
Try one or two chapters first; if the language and rhythm suit you, read through—there is no need to finish it in one sitting.
Readers interested in nature writing may consult comparable American river books for对照 reading.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a travelogue?

Judging by the title and classification, it is closer to a narrative work of travel and regional observation than a plot-driven novel. The book unfolds descriptions of the river and the regions along it from the narrator's perspective; readers should approach it as an essay or travel book rather than look for a complete storyline.

How difficult is the English? What level is needed?

It is a public-domain English original; the language is generally plain, but the geographical and nature descriptions involve some proper nouns and regional vocabulary. Readers with intermediate English reading ability who are willing to look up words can generally make progress; complete beginners are advised to start with a bilingual edition or introductory materials.

Do I need to know American geography in advance?

Systematic study is not necessary, but having a map will noticeably improve the reading experience. The book involves place names and waterways west of the Mississippi and in the Great Plains; looking them up as you read helps you understand the narrator's route and subjects of observation, otherwise the spatial relationships can feel vague.

What are the characteristics of the Gutenberg edition?

Project Gutenberg provides free public-domain electronic texts, focused on preserving and disseminating the original text; the layout is plain and usually lacks detailed notes or an introduction. Readers who need background information can consult the author's biography and related introductions to American Western travel writing as supplements.

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About the author

John Gneisenau Neihardt Author · American · 1881–1973

John Gneisenau Neihardt (1881–1973) was an American poet and writer. He was born near Sharpsburg, Illinois, and died in Missouri. In 1921 he became Poet Laureate of Nebraska and taught poetry at the University of Nebraska. His work drew heavily on the life of the American West and on Native American culture. His representative works include The Song of Hugh Glass, The River and I, The Lonesome Trail, and Two Mothers, which often use narrative poetry and prose to depict frontier landscapes and human fates. Published in 1932, Black Elk Speaks recounts the visions of the Lakota holy man Black Elk and brought him wide recognition. Public information is limited; his plain style, attentive to oral tradition and local experience, has influenced later Native American literary writing.