New Canoeing, Kayaking and Rafting Books For Sale

The story of a personal search for adventure and a quest to develop a distinct, appreciative sense of place A literary and ecological portrait of an American Heritage River

First explored by naturalist William Bartram in the 1760s, the St. Johns River stretches 310 miles along Florida's east Coast, making it the longest river in the state. The first "highway" through the once wild interior of Florida, the St. Johns may appear ordinary, but within its banks are some of the most fascinating natural phenomena and historic mysteries in the state. The river, no longer the commercial resource it once was, is now largely ignored by Florida's residents and visitors alike. In the first contemporary book about this American Heritage River, Bill Belleville describes his journey down the length of the St. Johns, kayaking, boating, hiking its riverbanks, diving its springs, and exploring its underwater caves. He rediscovers the natural Florida and establishes his connection with a place once loved for its untamed beauty. Belleville involves scientists, environmentalists, fishermen, cave divers, and folk historians in his journey, soliciting their companionship and their expertise. River of Lakes weaves together the biological, cultural, anthropological, archaeological, and ecological aspects of the St. Johns, capturing the essence of its remarkable history and intrinsic value as a natural wonder.

Bill Belleville is an award-winning environmental journalist and filmmaker who lives in Sanford, Florida. His work has appeared in Sierra Magazine, Audubon, Islands, Sports Afield, and other publications.

hardback, ISBN 0-8203-2156-7 (University of Georgia Press) $24.95