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From the Bottom Up: One Man's Crusade to Clean America's Rivers
Chad Pregracke was a high school student when he first glimpsed the trash that littered the bottom of the Mississippi, a shocking sight that launched him on a quest to clean up the river. After four discouraging years seeking government help without success, he decided to take his fund-raising private―and a corporate sponsor decided to take a chance on this naive but unshakably determined young man. Ten years later Chad's one-man project has grown into a $500,000 operation with more than 60 sponsors (including National Geographic). His work has been featured on national news and won numerous honors and accolades, but its grassroots, can-do spirit still thrives aboard the 135-foot barge that serves as home base for his organization, a floating environmental classroom, and an inspiration to people of all ages. This is the story of his personal triumph as an advocate for America's rivers. Chad measures success in tons of garbage removed and thousands of people with a new stake in―and a new understanding of―the river environment. But From the Bottom Up is much more as a first-person chronicle of Chad's own life along the Mississippi featuring colorful characters, a near-death experience, a haunted swamp, and other flourishes worthy of a modern Mark Twain; and a fascinating portrait of the river itself which explores everything from the natural history of mussels and catfish to Indian lore to the key role of the Mississippi in our country's history.
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2007
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102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 26, 2015
If you have ever thought one average person can’t really make a difference, you haven’t met Chad Pregracke. And while I call him average, his optimism and can-do spirit propel him into the extraordinary. He single handedly has championed the cleaning up of America’s rivers and continues to educate and inspire corporations and classrooms with his work.
Chad grew up mere feet from the shore of the Mississippi River and as a young high school student, realized the river was full of trash. And I’m not talking a few cans or bottles. If it can be found in a junkyard, you could find it in the Mississippi. Oil barrels, kitchen appliances, old trucks, and every sort of household good you can imagine. Chad, earning a living as a commercial fisherman, saw a need and got to work cleaning. After beginning with just a handful of friends, Chad turned a summer project into a respected organization with hefty corporate sponsorship. This has been a journey for the untrained self-professed river rat to develop the best ways to collect and dispose of trash, as well as attracting volunteers and marketing community support. Living Lands and Waters has removed more than 6 million pounds of garbage from rivers across America and now also plants trees and educates anyone who will listen on a floating classroom barge.
His story of the journey from sole cleaner to the galvanizing force he is today is told in easy, real language in From the Bottom Up. A bit of river and American history along with anecdotes and unforgettable characters make his book both informative and enjoyable but especially downright inspiring.
Despite prestigious awards such as CNN Hero of the Year and the Jefferson Award for Public Service, Chad remains on the river, working to clean as well as plant much-needed trees along the river basins. He also accepts speaking engagements, and Richmond is fortunate to have him speak Saturday November 22, 2015, at St. Christopher’s School for the Building Leaders From the Inside Out Symposium. Use the link below, or stay tuned to Chronicles for more information in tomorrow’s post.
Chad grew up mere feet from the shore of the Mississippi River and as a young high school student, realized the river was full of trash. And I’m not talking a few cans or bottles. If it can be found in a junkyard, you could find it in the Mississippi. Oil barrels, kitchen appliances, old trucks, and every sort of household good you can imagine. Chad, earning a living as a commercial fisherman, saw a need and got to work cleaning. After beginning with just a handful of friends, Chad turned a summer project into a respected organization with hefty corporate sponsorship. This has been a journey for the untrained self-professed river rat to develop the best ways to collect and dispose of trash, as well as attracting volunteers and marketing community support. Living Lands and Waters has removed more than 6 million pounds of garbage from rivers across America and now also plants trees and educates anyone who will listen on a floating classroom barge.
His story of the journey from sole cleaner to the galvanizing force he is today is told in easy, real language in From the Bottom Up. A bit of river and American history along with anecdotes and unforgettable characters make his book both informative and enjoyable but especially downright inspiring.
Despite prestigious awards such as CNN Hero of the Year and the Jefferson Award for Public Service, Chad remains on the river, working to clean as well as plant much-needed trees along the river basins. He also accepts speaking engagements, and Richmond is fortunate to have him speak Saturday November 22, 2015, at St. Christopher’s School for the Building Leaders From the Inside Out Symposium. Use the link below, or stay tuned to Chronicles for more information in tomorrow’s post.
July 6, 2021
I was inspired to read this book after hearing Chad as a guest speaker at work. I didn't realize how much I did NOT know about rivers until I read this book. And growing up and living on the west coast I was a little fuzzy on the geography - I mean I could pick out each state on a map, but didn't realize all the various rivers that join the Mississippi. So this book really gave me an appreciation for the center of the US.
It was astounding to read about the river clean up endeavors - especially the constant references to tires and refrigerators. I had no idea that our rivers were such a dumping ground. And the work that Chad and his group is really amazing. After all, how many would make this their life's work?!?!
Now - the reason I gave this 3 stars (instead of 4 or 5) is from the perspective of the writing. The book is written almost like a diary (except without breaking it up by day.) I think the book could have benefited from having another writer come in and focus on a separate topic for each chapter. Interestingly, it was the last chapter about Hurricane Katrina that really focused on a single topic. But with that said, you can tell that this was written in Chad's voice because it wasn't an overworked polished piece.
It was astounding to read about the river clean up endeavors - especially the constant references to tires and refrigerators. I had no idea that our rivers were such a dumping ground. And the work that Chad and his group is really amazing. After all, how many would make this their life's work?!?!
Now - the reason I gave this 3 stars (instead of 4 or 5) is from the perspective of the writing. The book is written almost like a diary (except without breaking it up by day.) I think the book could have benefited from having another writer come in and focus on a separate topic for each chapter. Interestingly, it was the last chapter about Hurricane Katrina that really focused on a single topic. But with that said, you can tell that this was written in Chad's voice because it wasn't an overworked polished piece.
April 11, 2024
After reading this book, I have newfound love & awe for the Mighty Mississippi. I learned soooooo much about river life, Midwest geography, waste removal, the pearls & pitfalls of running a non profit, Hurricane Katrina, etc. -- wow! -- and was truly entertained and tickled by all the stories Chad and his co-writer Jeff brought to life in written form. I feel a sense of pride we're from the same area!
Chad Pregracke is a stellar visionary, a real dynamo, who inspires me to pursue my own vision of a cleaner, healthier, more efficient, accessible, inclusive, sustainable, beautiful world. I am reminded it takes human ingenuity, passion, teamwork, & a loving heart to begin to make this happen.
Chad Pregracke is a stellar visionary, a real dynamo, who inspires me to pursue my own vision of a cleaner, healthier, more efficient, accessible, inclusive, sustainable, beautiful world. I am reminded it takes human ingenuity, passion, teamwork, & a loving heart to begin to make this happen.
June 5, 2023
Really enjoyed learning about this movement since I volunteer at the annual river cleanups in my area. My son got this book for my husband at a speaking engagement Chad Pregracke gave and was very impressed by Chad.
September 11, 2019
The writing could be better but it is written with so much heart.
February 17, 2021
Such an important book.
July 15, 2022
If anyone ever says they cannot make a difference, I will point them to this book. Very inspiring and gives me hope for a cleaner greener future.
December 31, 2018
Super fun story about doing what others say cannot be. Great way to be inspired about good news through hard work and partnership.
January 14, 2016
I found Chad Pregracke’s book on the birth and growth of his river cleaning organization interesting on a couple of levels. First, it is a great story that describes the issue, river trash, in some gory and sometimes humorous detail. Pregracke starts the book building his own credibility, telling some stories of growing up on the Mississippi River and working as a clammer before he really noticed the trash dumped in the Mississippi and the nearby Illinois Rivers. Throughout the book, Pregracke finds trash in every river he looks at. He describes his solution to the problem – removing the garbage – and how his team actually accomplished this over their first few years using the somewhat novel approach of using boats. You feel the squishy mud boots and feel the sudden terror when a boat sinks – the writing is plain but compelling.
Second, he describes his transition from a naïve but conscientious young man asking for his first corporate donation to a still at times naïve non-profit operator /environmental activist/organizer. What really comes across in the book is that Pregracke has a gift for complex organization, pulling together large volunteer clean-up efforts while managing to find new donors, maintain and add to the equipment, line up partnerships with related organizations, while setting up permissions and permits for the next stop down the line. And as the years go by, he even expands to raising and replanting trees in floodplains and puts a part of a season into helping out in New Orleans after Katrina. In the early years he did what sounds like hours of telephone work a day while simultaneously pulling fridges out of whatever river he was on. That’s quite a balancing act that seems to have gone very well for him and his organization. I have read a lot of business books, and this tells a bootstrapping startup story better than most. People that read Inc magazine would be well served reading this. It is almost a case study for how to build an organization’s unique capabilities (in this case a marine approach to river cleanup, great organizational skills, giving donors, useful contacts, willingness to expand offerings, and a message that resonates) and grow.
The third reason I found this interesting is that Pregracke grew up a few miles downriver from my small hometown and his Living Lands and Waters is still there. I was somewhat surprised to see my hometown, Port Byron (population 1676), mentioned and make the index – that’s a rare thing! It also is placed on the book’s lone map, although in the wrong position relative to our neighbors across the river in LeClaire, Iowa. While it’s nice to have the hometown mention, it’s better to have a local person that is making a difference across the nation. Wonderful story, written with thought and humor.
Second, he describes his transition from a naïve but conscientious young man asking for his first corporate donation to a still at times naïve non-profit operator /environmental activist/organizer. What really comes across in the book is that Pregracke has a gift for complex organization, pulling together large volunteer clean-up efforts while managing to find new donors, maintain and add to the equipment, line up partnerships with related organizations, while setting up permissions and permits for the next stop down the line. And as the years go by, he even expands to raising and replanting trees in floodplains and puts a part of a season into helping out in New Orleans after Katrina. In the early years he did what sounds like hours of telephone work a day while simultaneously pulling fridges out of whatever river he was on. That’s quite a balancing act that seems to have gone very well for him and his organization. I have read a lot of business books, and this tells a bootstrapping startup story better than most. People that read Inc magazine would be well served reading this. It is almost a case study for how to build an organization’s unique capabilities (in this case a marine approach to river cleanup, great organizational skills, giving donors, useful contacts, willingness to expand offerings, and a message that resonates) and grow.
The third reason I found this interesting is that Pregracke grew up a few miles downriver from my small hometown and his Living Lands and Waters is still there. I was somewhat surprised to see my hometown, Port Byron (population 1676), mentioned and make the index – that’s a rare thing! It also is placed on the book’s lone map, although in the wrong position relative to our neighbors across the river in LeClaire, Iowa. While it’s nice to have the hometown mention, it’s better to have a local person that is making a difference across the nation. Wonderful story, written with thought and humor.
September 23, 2009
This autobiography tells the tale of a young man who grew up on the banks of the Mississippi River. It chronicles his rise from the bottom; literally combing the muddy river bottom for mussels used in the cultivated pearl industry, to the top, where he received national recognition in Washington D.C. for his environmental achievements. A number of Iowa communities along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers play a role in this book.
No doubt the book has an inherent appeal because superficially it is a Horatio Alger story. Chad Pregracke’s tale, however, is not about making it into the ranks of the wealthy. It is not about a down and outer who struggles his way upward into affluence. Instead it follows a young, unassuming idealist (sometimes referred to as a Huckleberry Finn character) in his quest to make his environment a better place in which to live and work. One of the most telling events described in the book is when one reporter from the Washington area keeps getting in Chad’s face and tries to get him to condemn the litterers who created the environmental disaster on the Potomac River. When asked how he would seek out those responsible for the mess, Chad calmly reminds the reporter that this is the byproduct of an industrial society. Looking for the individuals who contribute to the litter would be futile. The only way to change our environment for the better is to start within ourselves. If everyone felt the need to keep our surroundings clean then there would be no need for people like Chad who volunteer to go out on behalf of the apathetic to clean up our environment.
For those who love our rivers and streams, for those who love a good story about turning dreams into reality by remaining focused and through hard work, this book is a must read.
No doubt the book has an inherent appeal because superficially it is a Horatio Alger story. Chad Pregracke’s tale, however, is not about making it into the ranks of the wealthy. It is not about a down and outer who struggles his way upward into affluence. Instead it follows a young, unassuming idealist (sometimes referred to as a Huckleberry Finn character) in his quest to make his environment a better place in which to live and work. One of the most telling events described in the book is when one reporter from the Washington area keeps getting in Chad’s face and tries to get him to condemn the litterers who created the environmental disaster on the Potomac River. When asked how he would seek out those responsible for the mess, Chad calmly reminds the reporter that this is the byproduct of an industrial society. Looking for the individuals who contribute to the litter would be futile. The only way to change our environment for the better is to start within ourselves. If everyone felt the need to keep our surroundings clean then there would be no need for people like Chad who volunteer to go out on behalf of the apathetic to clean up our environment.
For those who love our rivers and streams, for those who love a good story about turning dreams into reality by remaining focused and through hard work, this book is a must read.
June 7, 2013
A Memorial Day bike trip along the Mississippi from St. Louis to Quincy inspired me to pick this book off my bookshelf.
The author was in Chicago several years ago to promote the book and talk about his lifelong project to clean trash from the great rivers of the Midwest.
The book tells the long adventure of how Pregracke formed the organization Living Lands and Waters to collect refuse, plant trees and educate the public about rivers. From his early experiences growing up swimming and boating on the Mississippi, the teenage Pregracke is inspired to spend a day cleaning up unsightly debris on the shoreline. Local businesses and neighbors take an interest and lend support to his DIY efforts, setting him off on a quest to build an organization and a fleet of garbage collection barges roaming rivers near and far to gather industrial flotsam and jetsam marring the shoreline.
Pegracke's enthusiasm for his mission comes across well in the book. The ups and downs of working on the muddy river and navigating fundraising meetings are buoyed by his single-minded desire to improve the great river. Perhaps the prose of the tale rarely strays from the main channel to explore tiny tributary tales, or steps back to examine the bigger picture, but instead the story drives steadily on as the organization faces challenges and successes each year. Indeed in the last chapters the team of river cleaners often find it difficult to find the garbage along river banks they've cleaned repeatedly in previous years. Will they soon find themselves out of a job? Forays into rivers of the urban East Coast uncover vast new bodies of waterlogged refuse for the energetic volunteers, waiting just around the bend!
The author was in Chicago several years ago to promote the book and talk about his lifelong project to clean trash from the great rivers of the Midwest.
The book tells the long adventure of how Pregracke formed the organization Living Lands and Waters to collect refuse, plant trees and educate the public about rivers. From his early experiences growing up swimming and boating on the Mississippi, the teenage Pregracke is inspired to spend a day cleaning up unsightly debris on the shoreline. Local businesses and neighbors take an interest and lend support to his DIY efforts, setting him off on a quest to build an organization and a fleet of garbage collection barges roaming rivers near and far to gather industrial flotsam and jetsam marring the shoreline.
Pegracke's enthusiasm for his mission comes across well in the book. The ups and downs of working on the muddy river and navigating fundraising meetings are buoyed by his single-minded desire to improve the great river. Perhaps the prose of the tale rarely strays from the main channel to explore tiny tributary tales, or steps back to examine the bigger picture, but instead the story drives steadily on as the organization faces challenges and successes each year. Indeed in the last chapters the team of river cleaners often find it difficult to find the garbage along river banks they've cleaned repeatedly in previous years. Will they soon find themselves out of a job? Forays into rivers of the urban East Coast uncover vast new bodies of waterlogged refuse for the energetic volunteers, waiting just around the bend!
March 9, 2013
This book review is about “From the Bottom Up” written by Chad Pregracke. It is an autobiography about a man named Chad who sees the problems of the Mississippi river among others. The author wrote this book after his supervisor at CNN told him of Chad and his story. This book illustrates the details of what Chad went through to get his operation had to go through to get up and running and all of the struggles that he faced.
The book starts in the year 1997 when a reporter first heard of Chad and his ambitions. The reporter traveled to Illinois to meet with Chad and find out all of the grimy details. It just so happens that that is what Chad was all about. All of his works on the river required that he dived into the mucky bottoms to dig and pry out everything from refrigerators to cars. He slowly moves further up the river, cleaning and helping communities along the river as he goes. He begins to develop his organization which he eventually names the Living Lands and Waters. The organization grows in size and numbers and gains crew members the further it goes into its life. He also begins to organize with other groups and move to other rivers along the Mississippi like the Illinois River.
It is very well written novel and is a very interesting story in which any type of reader can become invested. I normally do not read autobiographies because they are boring, uninteresting and dull. This book allowed me to become a part of it however. Its creative writing allowed me to create vivid images within my mind. It was a good read and I highly recommend it.
The book starts in the year 1997 when a reporter first heard of Chad and his ambitions. The reporter traveled to Illinois to meet with Chad and find out all of the grimy details. It just so happens that that is what Chad was all about. All of his works on the river required that he dived into the mucky bottoms to dig and pry out everything from refrigerators to cars. He slowly moves further up the river, cleaning and helping communities along the river as he goes. He begins to develop his organization which he eventually names the Living Lands and Waters. The organization grows in size and numbers and gains crew members the further it goes into its life. He also begins to organize with other groups and move to other rivers along the Mississippi like the Illinois River.
It is very well written novel and is a very interesting story in which any type of reader can become invested. I normally do not read autobiographies because they are boring, uninteresting and dull. This book allowed me to become a part of it however. Its creative writing allowed me to create vivid images within my mind. It was a good read and I highly recommend it.
November 5, 2014
بطل هذا الكتاب تشاد برغراك هو بطل من نوع خاص! فقد نشأ عند نهر المسيسيبي العظيم، وراعه ما يراه من مخلفات وقذارة تطغى على جمال النهر وبيئته. نذر تشاد نفسه ليخدم هذه القضية، بدأ بنفسه وبجهده الشخصي ثم كان هناك متطوعون يزيد عددهم سنة بعد سنة ثم مؤسسات داعمة تعتني وكله هذا بدون مقابل مادي بل خدمة للنهر وبيئته
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قصته تستحق أن نتعرف عليها عن قرب لنعرف كيف تفرّغ لهذا العمل وكيف أنجز، وهذا ما يبدو الذي دفعه للكتابة هو وجف بارو الصحفي المهتم بعمل تشاد
ولكن الكتاب توثيقي أكثر منه أدبي، أعني قد توجد فيه إجابات لأسئلة كثيرة، وذلك جيّد، ولكن فيه رتابة بسبب سرده لهذه المهمة الشاقة، لو كان فيه أدباً وفكاهة وعواطف أكثر لأبدع. ولكنه مسكين في العمل والكتاب فهو يتكلم عن الزبالة ومن الصعب أن تجد جمالاً كثيراً متعلقاً بها
يروي الكاتب ذهبنا وقلنا وعملنا بدون تسلسل أحداث، فلا هو مشوق ولا تعليمي وإنما سرد لليوميات بشكل رتيب! يمكن أن يكون أفضل بكثير. فمثلاً أجد متعة في التفاصيل الفنية وعندما استخدم العبارة للمرة الأولى احتجت إلى رسومات توضيحية لها وطريقة ربطها ورصفها وغيره، ولم يكن هناك شيئاً من ذلك
وفعلاً أتعجب من هذه القصة الغنية كيف لم يستطع الكاتب إخراج كتاب أفضل! كثيرون آخرون أبدعوا في كتبهم رغم بساطة المواضيع ومثال ذلك كارنيزس في كتابه
Ultra Marathon Man
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توقفت عند المنتصف تقريباً! أعلم أنه لا تزال هناك مادة ولكن الرتابة قتلتني. وهو ليس كتاباً علمياً أو في مجال تخصصي وإنما في مجال اهتمامي فقط. لا يستحق الصبر
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صدر الكتاب في 2007، ويبدو أن تشاد استمر في عمله الرائع، فقد عرفت أنه أصبح في قائمة "سي إن إن" لأبطال أمريكا سنة
2013
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قصته تستحق أن نتعرف عليها عن قرب لنعرف كيف تفرّغ لهذا العمل وكيف أنجز، وهذا ما يبدو الذي دفعه للكتابة هو وجف بارو الصحفي المهتم بعمل تشاد
ولكن الكتاب توثيقي أكثر منه أدبي، أعني قد توجد فيه إجابات لأسئلة كثيرة، وذلك جيّد، ولكن فيه رتابة بسبب سرده لهذه المهمة الشاقة، لو كان فيه أدباً وفكاهة وعواطف أكثر لأبدع. ولكنه مسكين في العمل والكتاب فهو يتكلم عن الزبالة ومن الصعب أن تجد جمالاً كثيراً متعلقاً بها
يروي الكاتب ذهبنا وقلنا وعملنا بدون تسلسل أحداث، فلا هو مشوق ولا تعليمي وإنما سرد لليوميات بشكل رتيب! يمكن أن يكون أفضل بكثير. فمثلاً أجد متعة في التفاصيل الفنية وعندما استخدم العبارة للمرة الأولى احتجت إلى رسومات توضيحية لها وطريقة ربطها ورصفها وغيره، ولم يكن هناك شيئاً من ذلك
وفعلاً أتعجب من هذه القصة الغنية كيف لم يستطع الكاتب إخراج كتاب أفضل! كثيرون آخرون أبدعوا في كتبهم رغم بساطة المواضيع ومثال ذلك كارنيزس في كتابه
Ultra Marathon Man
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
توقفت عند المنتصف تقريباً! أعلم أنه لا تزال هناك مادة ولكن الرتابة قتلتني. وهو ليس كتاباً علمياً أو في مجال تخصصي وإنما في مجال اهتمامي فقط. لا يستحق الصبر
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صدر الكتاب في 2007، ويبدو أن تشاد استمر في عمله الرائع، فقد عرفت أنه أصبح في قائمة "سي إن إن" لأبطال أمريكا سنة
2013
April 13, 2011
True stories/biographies are not generally the types of books I read. This was a decent book though. Growing up, I spent a lot of time on the Mississippi River right where the majority of this book takes place (and I did see plenty of garbage). It is an encouraging look at a person that wanted to make a difference. Overall, it was great to see how a kid could start with desire and hard work then turn that into a major philanthropic organization. I can't say that it inspired me to do the same, but it reinforced my commitment to recycle and pick up not only after myself, but whenever I see garbage that should be thrown away.
I would recommend it to those interested in starting their own business, philanthropy, ecology, inspiring true stories of hard work, and anyone with a connection to the Mississippi generally or cleaning up "wilderness".
I would recommend it to those interested in starting their own business, philanthropy, ecology, inspiring true stories of hard work, and anyone with a connection to the Mississippi generally or cleaning up "wilderness".
July 5, 2012
As an environmentalist and ecologist I of course enjoyed the inspiring story. I loved to read how many people from the communities would come donate time and money to the effort.
What really stuck out at me and kept me through the slight repetitiveness of trash clean up was the conflict between Living Land & Waters with local officials. Although it was a minor part in the overall story, I was surprised as Chad was when local "conservationists" would impede their cause to create a better, cleaner river.
Nothing to really complain about in this book. It's well written and a pretty quick read. Chad provides plenty of inspiration through his experience on the river. It's a good story for anyone that cares about the environment or wants to make a difference in their own world.
What really stuck out at me and kept me through the slight repetitiveness of trash clean up was the conflict between Living Land & Waters with local officials. Although it was a minor part in the overall story, I was surprised as Chad was when local "conservationists" would impede their cause to create a better, cleaner river.
Nothing to really complain about in this book. It's well written and a pretty quick read. Chad provides plenty of inspiration through his experience on the river. It's a good story for anyone that cares about the environment or wants to make a difference in their own world.
Currently reading
November 21, 2016This book is called From The Bottom Up: By Chad Pregracke. This book is about a young man that wants to help out with the water probables. He try so many things to make his dream come true. I think one strength this book had was its characteristic and how funny and exciting it was, But one weakness was the beginning of the book because I don't think it expressed its self as well as the middle did. If I had to rate this book I would rate it a 5 star because this book showed lots of meaning and hope for people. The one person who I think would love this book is my dad because, He loves to go on the river and hates when people destroy it. This is based on because the original story is about a young college kid who wants to become something more than other people.
June 21, 2008
This book made me so ridiculously homesick for the Midwest. I wanted to delve on into some river cleanups on some big rivers, dig out some refrigerators and styrofoam dock remains.....*sigh* I'll be back on the Missouri soon, I promise.
Here in Oregon, on the Willamette River, we have a whole different set of crap to cleanup....used drug needles, tent cities, sleeping bags, etc.
Jeff Barrow did a great job with this book. It was a bit difficult to read the bits about the N'Awlins cleanup; made some uncomfortable feelings rise back to the surface, but was glad as hell to find that one of my Halloween costumes made it into some non-fiction! Hell yeah.
Here in Oregon, on the Willamette River, we have a whole different set of crap to cleanup....used drug needles, tent cities, sleeping bags, etc.
Jeff Barrow did a great job with this book. It was a bit difficult to read the bits about the N'Awlins cleanup; made some uncomfortable feelings rise back to the surface, but was glad as hell to find that one of my Halloween costumes made it into some non-fiction! Hell yeah.
October 26, 2016
A very inspirational book telling the story of what one person - starting as a young teenager - can do to change his and our world. Chad Pregracke didn't like the state of the rivers in middle America - they were filled with unbelievable amounts of trash. So he set out to clean them up single-handedly. His enthusiasm soon infected many others in his neighbourhood to do the same, or at least to help him in his quest. Facing obstacles regarding lack of funding and marine equipment, he beat the odds and found sponsors and donors and many other dedicated volunteers to clean up America's rivers. Not just one river in one state, but many rivers in many states. This is a must read book!
December 26, 2007
I never know how to rate books like this. The author is inspiring. He's full of energy and does the right thing. He cleans the Mississippi; something I thought not humanly possible. His story is amazing...... but I didn't actually finish the book. I liked what I read; there was just only so much I could read about dragging trash from the Mississippi, against all odds. I'm glad I read what I did of the book (over half), there was just a little too much detail for me. Does that make me a bad environmentalist? I am passing the book on for others to read, at least...
July 8, 2009
Having lived within five miles of the Mississippi my entire life, I've always felt an affinity for the river - though I could never claim "river rat" status. I've been a fan of Chad's work for several years now and really enjoyed this book. It reads like a diary; it flows well and includes great details. There is a lot to be learned from this book, but it's Chad's determination, dedication, and energy that I found most inspiring.
November 22, 2014
Very inspiring! I love how Chad just saw something he wanted to change and made it happen--with lots of hard work and help, of course. When I finished reading, I felt all pumped up and ready to go out and tackle the world's problems. I like Chad's goofy, humorous way of looking at things, too. I felt like the book could have used a little more editing and maybe had some things rearranged for clarity, but for the most part I enjoyed the actual story as well as the motivational value.
January 5, 2009
Hubby read this autobiography by a young man from the Quad Cities whom Patrick first saw "working on the riverbanks" years ago. Patrick says reading this took him right back to some of his Mississippi River fishing haunts. Two thumbs for Chad!
March 17, 2012
A great self told story about a one guy's relentless drive to clean up America's rivers. Inspiring reading. Although funding his cleaning crusade is a never ending process, he keeps on moving forward. A great read for anyone looking to start their own crusade.
October 14, 2013
After having met Chad on a beach cleanup earlier in the year, I was enthralled by his simple dream and how he went about accomplishing it. His humor and obvious passion makes the book an easy read that pulls at the heart. Loved.
June 11, 2009
This book was a motivator. It's amazing to hear how successful one man's dream was: make the Mississippi clean. I want to go clean a river today!
May 28, 2009
I sure am glad there are people like this in the world.....
September 20, 2010
It took me a long time to read this book. But I did enjoy this inspiring true story of someone from my home town (East Moline, IL) and his efforts to clean up the nation's rivers.
January 1, 2014
We read this book as a whole school project. Chad came and spoke to our school.
September 6, 2015
Very well-written story of how one man built a movement to clean America's rivers.
June 18, 2017
The book was fine and the authors work is extremely commendable. However, I found it too detailed in some areas and not detailed enough in others. All the work he's done is amazing.
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