What a disappointment after reading Blue Highways -- which this certainly is not! Had Heat-Moon given in a Prologue the tale of him giving up his marriage in order to do this boat trip I certainly wouldn't have read the book. It seemed, as I read it, that I was tempted numerous times to put it down and never pick it up again. There is so much negativism and cynicism with jabs at religion, politics and being an activist for much of the trip. I like to read enjoyable books. So, I say, if you feel you have to read it, check it out of a library.