Overview

In this stunning photographic tribute to one of Texas' most intriguing and perhaps least understood rivers, Riverwoods: Exploring the Wild Neches takes readers on a unique adventure along, and sometimes into, the wild and murky waters of the Neches River. The Neches flows through the heart of East Texas, past primordial bottomland forests, timber and oil industries, and elusive denizens—humans, alligators, bobcats, and herons. Although the river and its watershed have inspired authors, artists, and photographers, it can also seem impenetrable, intimidating, or just plain unsightly to outsiders. Spending many days canoeing the river and nights camping on the banks, Charles Kruvand was drawn to the complicated allure of the Neches river and woods. Once common across the southeastern United States, the Neches bottomland forests exemplify an ecosystem that has almost passed out of existence. Thad Sitton, an East Texas native and noted historian, opens the book with an introduction to the historical, cultural, and ecological significance of the Neches River. He takes readers through time from early Native American inhabitants to Spanish and Anglo settlers to present-day East Texans. He also describes the environmental battles fought over preserving parts of the river woodlands surrounding the waterway and wildlife that have depended on the river for sustenance. Through beautiful photographs and stirring recollections of his trip along the river, Charles Kruvand weaves a rare portrait of one of the last wild rivers in Texas.

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9781623496739

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Reviews

. . . highlights the beauty and value of a jewel of our Texas natural heritage. It is a timely reminder of what we may lose if we do not protect and preserve our natural areas for ourselves and future generations. --Ken Kramer, Water Resources Chair and Legislative Advisor, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter--Ken Kramer Riverwoods: Exploring the Wild Neches provides a fascinating photographic and written exploration of the bottomland forests of the Neches River, a 400 mile long river and woodland system that flows through East Texas and represents one of the few remaining hardwood river systems in the entire United States. . . . The heart and soul of Riverwoods is the striking photography of Charles Kruvand. His alluring and provocative images, accompanied by his well-told and entertaining stories of adventure on the Neches, introduce us to a little-known river that it is hard to get to know. . . . Kruvand's tales of adventure on the Wild Neches are indeed wonderful--captivating, humorous, and touching. We travel the river with Kruvand and are drawn directly into that world. We are totally immersed in the riverwoods. . . . an attractive book full of intriguing images, captivating stories, and a rare riverwoods world that begs to be saved for future generations. -- George B. Ward, former managing editor, Southwestern Historical Quarterly--George B Ward An important contribution to the analysis and conservation of one of the wildest river of Texas, the Neches. The book is a fitting tribute to the natural assets of one of our most revered and still mostly intact river systems. . . . The stunning photography has to rank as one of the outstanding attributes of the book. Kruvand's photos are splendid and mesh seamlessly with the text. . . . This book is a real gem and should make a great addition to the library of anyone interested in the rivers of Texas. Visually and through stirring and witty narrative, the book engaged me; I think it will hook many readers. --Jim Neal, Consultant for Caddo Lake Institute --Jim Neal

. . . highlights the beauty and value of a jewel of our Texas natural heritage. It is a timely reminder of what we may lose if we do not protect and preserve our natural areas for ourselves and future generations. --Ken Kramer, Water Resources Chair and Legislative Advisor, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter--Ken Kramer Riverwoods: Exploring the Wild Neches provides a fascinating photographic and written exploration of the bottomland forests of the Neches River, a 400 mile long river and woodland system that flows through East Texas and represents one of the few remaining hardwood river systems in the entire United States. . . . The heart and soul of Riverwoods is the striking photography of Charles Kruvand. His alluring and provocative images, accompanied by his well-told and entertaining stories of adventure on the Neches, introduce us to a little-known river that it is hard to get to know. . . . Kruvand's tales of adventure on the Wild Neches are indeed wonderful--captivating, humorous, and touching. We travel the river with Kruvand and are drawn directly into that world. We are totally immersed in the riverwoods. . . . an attractive book full of intriguing images, captivating stories, and a rare riverwoods world that begs to be saved for future generations. -- George B. Ward, former managing editor, Southwestern Historical Quarterly--George B Ward An important contribution to the analysis and conservation of one of the wildest river of Texas, the Neches. The book is a fitting tribute to the natural assets of one of our most revered and still mostly intact river systems. . . . The stunning photography has to rank as one of the outstanding attributes of the book. Kruvand's photos are splendid and mesh seamlessly with the text. . . . This book is a real gem and should make a great addition to the library of anyone interested in the rivers of Texas. Visually and through stirring and witty narrative, the book engaged me; I think it will hook many readers. --Jim Neal, Consultant for Caddo Lake Institute --Jim Neal

Riverwoods: Exploring the Wild Neches provides a fascinating photographic and written exploration of the bottomland forests of the Neches River, a 400 mile long river and woodland system that flows through East Texas and represents one of the few remaining hardwood river systems in the entire United States. . . . The heart and soul of Riverwoods is the striking photography of Charles Kruvand. His alluring and provocative images, accompanied by his well-told and entertaining stories of adventure on the Neches, introduce us to a little-known river that it is hard to get to know. . . . Kruvand's tales of adventure on the Wild Neches are indeed wonderful--captivating, humorous, and touching. We travel the river with Kruvand and are drawn directly into that world. We are totally immersed in the riverwoods. . . . an attractive book full of intriguing images, captivating stories, and a rare riverwoods world that begs to be saved for future generations. -- George B. Ward, former managing editor, Southwestern Historical Quarterly--George B Ward An important contribution to the analysis and conservation of one of the wildest river of Texas, the Neches. The book is a fitting tribute to the natural assets of one of our most revered and still mostly intact river systems. . . . The stunning photography has to rank as one of the outstanding attributes of the book. Kruvand's photos are splendid and mesh seamlessly with the text. . . . This book is a real gem and should make a great addition to the library of anyone interested in the rivers of Texas. Visually and through stirring and witty narrative, the book engaged me; I think it will hook many readers. --Jim Neal, Consultant for Caddo Lake Institute --Jim Neal

. . . highlights the beauty and value of a jewel of our Texas natural heritage. It is a timely reminder of what we may lose if we do not protect and preserve our natural areas for ourselves and future generations. --Ken Kramer, Water Resources Chair and Legislative Advisor, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter--Ken Kramer An important contribution to the analysis and conservation of one of the wildest river of Texas, the Neches. The book is a fitting tribute to the natural assets of one of our most revered and still mostly intact river systems. . . . The stunning photography has to rank as one of the outstanding attributes of the book. Kruvand's photos are splendid and mesh seamlessly with the text. . . . This book is a real gem and should make a great addition to the library of anyone interested in the rivers of Texas. Visually and through stirring and witty narrative, the book engaged me; I think it will hook many readers. --Jim Neal, Consultant for Caddo Lake Institute --Jim Neal Riverwoods: Exploring the Wild Neches provides a fascinating photographic and written exploration of the bottomland forests of the Neches River, a 400 mile long river and woodland system that flows through East Texas and represents one of the few remaining hardwood river systems in the entire United States. . . . The heart and soul of Riverwoods is the striking photography of Charles Kruvand. His alluring and provocative images, accompanied by his well-told and entertaining stories of adventure on the Neches, introduce us to a little-known river that it is hard to get to know. . . . Kruvand's tales of adventure on the Wild Neches are indeed wonderful--captivating, humorous, and touching. We travel the river with Kruvand and are drawn directly into that world. We are totally immersed in the riverwoods. . . . an attractive book full of intriguing images, captivating stories, and a rare riverwoods world that begs to be saved for future generations. -- George B. Ward, former managing editor, Southwestern Historical Quarterly--George B Ward

Author Information

Charles Kruvand is an Austin-based photographer and writer. His photographs are featured in The Living Waters of Texas by Ken Kramer, and he is the recipient of the 2010 Art in Service to the Environment Award by the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. Thad Sitton is a Texas historian and author who is best known for his expertise in oral history and East Texas. He is the author or coauthor of numerous books, most recently the award-winning Caddo: Visions of a Southern Cypress Lake. He lives in Austin, Texas.

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