The Hudson

January 14, 2008
Dunwell, who has worked for 30 years to conserve the Hudson and its cultural heritage, tells the story of the magical river that has been central to New York's power and to the history of the United States. Beginning with the Native Americans who lived near the Hudson, Dunwell follows the river through the centuries, describing the painters—like Thomas Cole—who found in the river inspiration for great art and the Civilian Conservation Corps's work to build recreational facilities during the Great Depression. Covering the Hudson through space as well as time, Dunwell ranges from the building of the Erie Canal to the erection of the Statue of Liberty, and the Gilded Age estates of J.P. Morgan and Jay Gould. She pays particular attention to the tension between harnessing the Hudson's economic potential and preserving its natural beauty. Dunwell indulges in grandiose statements (the river's forts “assume the importance of Grecian temples”) and boosterism (“Can a person make a difference? The answer is yes”). But with the book's dozens of illustrations and a moving foreword by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as bonuses, people who love the Hudson will love this book.

February 15, 2008
Working in nonprofit and government positions for 30 years, Dunwell has accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the Hudson River, which he presents in this well-documented and lavishly illustrated volume. Dunwell argues that the Hudson is the true river of empire and has played a vital role in the creation of America politically, socially, and economically. Fifteen chapters trace the river's history, beginning with Henry Hudson's exploration and the Dutch who settled along its banks in the 17th century and moving on to the colonial wars between the English and the French and their Native American allies, the American Revolution, the Industrial age following the Civil War, and the 20th century, when the river was best known for its pollution. Dunwell also reveals how the river has inspired artists (the Hudson River school), writers (Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper), conservationists who worked to preserve the scenic vistas and historical sites, and environmentalists who worked to clean up the river. This history of the Hudson River is a story of interaction between people and the environment and a story of continuing inspiration and renewal. All libraries will be enriched by this volume.Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley Coll., Mt. Carmel, IL

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 1, 2008
The magnificent Hudson River is emblematic of Americas dreams of freedom, bountiful nature, and uplifting beauty. And yet, for all its wild splendor and historic sites, Americas most important waterway became grossly polluted. Dunwell, a key figure in the rivers conservation, reawakens appreciation for the Hudson in a richly illustrated book graceful and capacious enough to capture the spirit and significance of itssubject. Combining natural and human history, Dunwell tracks the river from its Adirondack headwaters to the tip of Manhattan, from Revolutionary War battles to Millionaires Row, where such prominent families as the Roosevelts and Rockefellers built grand estates, to the industries that poisoned the riverand the activistsamong them Pete Seeger, with the sloop Clearwaterwho rescued, restored, and continue to protect the Hudson. Dunwells clear, fast-moving prose conveys a wealth of information to form a commanding and inspiring biography of a river that gave rise to an art movement (the Hudson River school), progressive social quests, landmark environmental cases, and heroicapproaches topreservation. The story of the Hudson River is the story of natures resiliency and civilizations evolution.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)