The Riverkeepers

by John Cronin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Al Gore (Foreword by)

In the 1960s the Hudson River, under threat from polluters and energy concerns but beloved by its shoreline residents and local fishermen, became one of the United States' first major environmental battlegrounds. Out of those early legal wrangles emerged some important environmental legislation, and also the Soundkeeper organization, with a mandate to fight for the health of this historic New York river.

This book reveals something about the organization, and even more about the history of the Hudson and environmentalism in America, from John Winthrop to Newt Gingrich, and quite a bit, too, about the upbringings--glamorous (who'd have thought keeping a pet seal in your swimming pool would lead to activism?) and not-so-unusual--of its authors. Promising early chapters sketch out the exploitation of the river by industry and describe some of its colorful champions. (One of the most interesting here is Robert H. Boyle, the writer of a seminal account of the Hudson, The Hudson River: A Natural and Unnatural History, who comes off as a hero.) A terrific final section explains in accessible terms the basis for environmental law in the founding of our country. In between, this book sometimes falters under the weight of too much information. You can't fault these writers for the work they've done, or for the scattered gems of thoughtful information on the modern environmental movement, which make this book worth reading. Just be prepared to pick through some irrelevancies (did Bobby Shriver really bring a leopard tortoise home for Robert Kennedy Jr. from Kenya in a suitcase?) to get to the heart of this unusual book. --Maria Dolan

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction, Politics, Ecology, History, Nature, Law

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[John Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I should point out that Robert F Kennedy, Jr., son of Bobby Kennedy, is the second author of this book, which "reached me" as few other books do. It is a classic David vs Goliath story in which a grassroots environmental activist movement successfully forced government and corporations to clean up the Hudson River, which they had been polluting for years. GE had dumped PCBs in the river for 30 years, causing the fishing industry to shut down. Other corporations dumped industrial waste clandestinely. Sewage treatment facilities dumped raw sewage. The water in the Hudson River was essentially destroyed due to corporate greed. Corporations chose to dump because it was cheaper and they could profit more. Riverkeepers formed essentially from fishermen who were upset at the state of affairs, and grew to become a strong, national organization that protects many bodies of water around the country. But the battle continues today, and the central message of the book is to become involved locally, where you can do the most good. In recent months I have seen similar successes in my community, where concerned citizens were able to oppose a cell tower that was not wanted or needed, and also able to oppose a law that would have turned large batches of public oceanfront beach into private property. But it takes a ton of work. I especially enjoyed the portion of the book that emphasizes the "false science" that the current anti-environment movement (as represented by Scott Pruitt's EPA) uses to confuse constituents. Specifically cited is Fred Singer, an ex-scientist to extolls any anti-environment proposal with opinion, rather than science. I have seen him cited on many occasions for this approach (see "Merchants of Doubt"), but it is still effective because non-scientists fall for his ability to cast doubt on all scientific findings. And the lessons of this book are far-reaching. Even as I write this review, there is still a major issue in NC over Duke Power's dumping of coal ash into rivers, and what they should be required to do to clean that up. For corporations, it is frequently cheaper to pollute than to properly dispose of waste. Riverkeepers and other similar organizations work to make them pay for their sins and to clean up their messes. This is not protecting nature for nature's sake, as some see it, but protecting nature so that humans have clean air and clean water. This is a book at everyone should read, similar to Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring".

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent most of my younger years in the Hudson Valley, and the work of the Riverkeepers has made a profound and positive impact on our local environment. The story of how they have stood up to the corporate and government polluters is outlined here and is inspiring.

The real story of The Riverkeepers is outlining why they do what they do - our right to clean air, water, and an unspoiled environment. These are not priviliges, they are rights.

For years, anti-environmental hacks have been trying to convince us that to be for the environment is to be anti-property rights, anti-growth. The Riverkeepers points out that these people are motivated by at best a misunderstanding of the issues, and at worst motivated by pure profit.

To be an environmentalist, The Riverkeepers points out, is to be for the very essence of American democracy: the rights of the people to stand up and protect our children, property, livelihoods, and future. The Riverkeepers will not only inspire you, it will make you feel at home in your caring for the environment, by showing you your place in the traditions and philosophy behind the environmental movement.

I had a chance meeting with RFK, Jr. in an elevator in an office building in New York and was able to tell him how much I enjoyed the book. He asked me where I had grown up and thanked me for the kind words.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, could be classified as an action/adventure story too. I really enjoyed reading stories about how they had to sneak around to gather evidence on polluters, and stand up to big monster tankers from the smaller Keeper. Only thing I didn't like was a few times during Kennedy and Cronin's chapters I felt as though they were self promoting and it came across as a bit self righteous. Not sure how some of it tied into the Riverkeepers. I've met both working also on the Hudson River, and I thoroughly like Kennedy. He is a real nice man. Cronin can be a bit ornary, not really a people person. I hope that opinion hadn't already pre-disposed me to be biased when reading the book...

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I had never heard of the Riverkeepers. They are an environmental group that works to protect waterways and watersheds in New York state. Reading their story, their strategies and failures, gave me hope for what passionate people (here sportsmen and greens) can accomplish when they work together and provide information to their neighbors.

[Jonna Higgins-Freese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought of this book in March 2015 while visiting NYC. I recalled that the tap water would be delicious -- and it was. And when a colleague was incredulous that such a large city could have great tap water, I was even able to recall a bit of the store about the well-protected upstate reservoirs that supply the delicious water.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. The general message of the book is good - little people who stand up for what they believe can make a difference . . . especially if they have good legal representation. Honestly, the book could have been about 10 chapters shorter but maybe I'm just not "green" enough.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! A little slow at first but it's basically a story of how the Riverkeeper movement got started and all of the struggles they've been through until the early 90's. I would love to see an updated version of what's happened over the last 20 years or so.

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw Rpbert Kennedy Jr speak, which prompted me to read this book. A good read, and it got my involvement with the local Riverkeepers started.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

They accomplished a lot using the Clean Water Act, but warn that money continues to be a corrupting influence.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

they did enormous good, but the hudson river is still screwed. inspiring story.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational reading on what we can do to protect the environment for this and future generations.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that cried out for photos and maps to clarify the activities and struggles of the riverkeepers. Still, very inspiring.

[Gene Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

As impactful as Silent Spring.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much is still timely today, and having this historical perspective is very helpful in sorting through today and the future.

[Brooke Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by this book. I know RFK Jr. is a controversial person causing a lot of harm right now, but if you read this, I’d encourage you to go into it with an open mind. It was written in the late 90s and is so different from much of what he represents now. The stories and facts shared in this book were eye-opening—many were heartbreaking, but there was so much hope interwoven throughout. The Riverkeeper movement inspired me to be more proactive about standing up against industry giants causing massive amounts of pollution in my community. The book also made me realize how little I know about my own water source, much less those of others. The authors did a nice job of showing how harm to the environment exacerbates issues for already marginalized communities. The book is pretty dry, but the information is so astonishing it kept me engaged.

[Bernard O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read this while staying too warm in Deerfield Beach Florida in February (lucky me) and noting all the plastic trash washing up on the beach. Timely describing the social and political dynamics of the fouling of the planet and our own eventual extinction, even if this book is now twenty-five years old. Can't escape it even on an ocean beach. The polluters are winning and may as well be our indolent selves anasthetized by the best public relations and lawyers that government, industry, and politicians can buy. Or we can continue to ignore it. At least the book tries to remind us to think.

[Jenna W · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book sounded promising. It was rather boring. I liked the concept better than the execution. I don't think it has anything to do with the authors. It is most likely a result of the way the book is organized. It felt jumbled and as though it was lacking a clear order. Additionally, like many other books I have read, my review is heavily influenced by the college setting in which I read it and the amount of stress I was in at the time.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

My main issue with this book is the sometimes-overwhelming litany of names, dates & abbreviations that distract from the actual story being told. It can read like a textbook if you’re not careful.

However, it opened my eyes up to a whole new side of the environmental movement, and strategy of activism I personally found inspiring and a cause for hope above all. I appreciated the insight into the legal battles as well as the reverence for the local communities the authors gave.

[Aspen · Rating 2 out of 5]

My God this book was difficult to get through. It started out so strong in the first couple of chapters, but quickly lost all sense of organization and became a bunch of rambling and finger-pointing at anti-environmentalists. The third to last chapter used the word "phony" so many times, if I had made a drinking game out of it I would've blacked out. A cool organization, and I recommend checking out the work of the Riverkeepers online, but the book itself is rough.

[Mary Cooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passionate and well reasoned rationale on the importance of protecting our waterways

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed this book. Then went to the Hudson Riverkeepers website for updates since the book is now 25 years old.

[Julia Corrado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often read non-fiction, but this book is enjoyable for any reader and necessary for any environmentalist. Inspiring, thrilling, captivating & enlightening. And very, very important. I could say more, but I think the book itself says all I could hope to impart.

[Chris Bertrand]

Great book! Very powerful. I enjoyed learning about the origin of river keepers and the responsibility they have to the river and the people in their human community who love and depend on the river for aesthetics, recreation, economic livelihood and/or spirituality. The Riverkeeper had some epic strategies and great people working for it. I like their philosophy of protecting the river and it’s community of people with the most effective legal means available whether that be litigation or community organizing and grassroots politicking. Also, some interesting looks at environmental citizen suits and the life of Bobby Kennedy jr.

2nd read review- essential reading for Riverkeepers. The first 2/3’s is very relevant and then the book begins to wander off.