Rivers of History: Life on the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Cahaba, and Alabama

As an Alabamian with an interest in our rivers, I was delighted to read this book on the Alabama river and its tributaries. Harvey Jackson is a historian who writes with a balance of history and human interest. He takes the reader into the story of these rivers including the people and their times. If one is interested only in the historical aspects of the river, there is ample information here and the book is heavily footnoted for those with a greater historical appetite. But you need not be an avid student of history to appreciate the stories that are set in time beginning with the earliest records.The story is about the river, but it also gives us glimpses of the changes along the river through time. Along the way we encounter all sorts of surprises, from the keen competition between the British and French for this resource, the era of the steamboats, the industrial development, and perhaps most of all, the riverfolk and their part in telling the story. Superb job Mr. Jackson!

If you like Alabama history, especially the history of the rivers, this book focuses on how the rivers of Alabama played a critical role leading up to Alabama becoming a state and beyond. Very well written with many accounts of historically important events happening along the waterways.

Dr. Jackson's book was very well researched and is an enjoyable read about the history of Alabama's most known river system. Knowing the history of the rivers puts into perspective Alabama today.