Rivers of Fortune

by Bill Caldwell

This fast-paced and fascinating story, originally published in 1983, covers a vital part of coastal Maine's history too long the cultural history of the Penobscot, Kennebec, Saco, and Damariscotta Rivers. More than three hundred years are covered, from the days of pioneer settlers, sea captains, river men, and lumberjacks, to the shipbuilders, merchants, and lumber barons who made millions from Maine's vast natural and human resources.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

At times, fascinating history of the rivers of Maine. Tons of facts and many interesting details. Problem was in the writing style. Sometimes I had to retread a sentence 2 or 3 times to get the actual meaning. My other major criticism was that often it seems as though the author was repeating himself or covering the same material he had covered in earlier chapters. This made the book somewhat tedious.

[Chris Perham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very readable history of the growth of commerce on the Maine shoreline. I was not so interested in the BIW details of the first few chapters, but more taken by the town-by-town approach of the latter part of the book. It gives many details and perspectives of the seafaring, shipbuilding culture that grew with the State of Maine. It's a good reference for genealogists.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A++ would and will recommend to everyone I know.