Backing Hard Into River History

This book covers 100 years of history about the development of U.S. inland waterways, generally the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

It also includes a 110 history of "The Waterways

Journal," affectionately called "The Riverman's Bible."

Also includes is biographical material by the author, who spent more than 60 years covering the inland waterways for "The Waterways Journal."

Author James V. Swift was born in St. Louis on June 4, 1916, and as the son of a father involved in river construction, moved quickly to the family's 75 by 35-ft. houseboat on the Mississippi River. In 1923, because of his father's ill health, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they lived until the death of his father, James Verdin Swift, in 1932.

It was at that time that the author moved back to St. Louis and began developing with river people the valuable relationships that have served him so well over the past 60 years. He spent the next nine years studying and riding steamboats and learning about the ongoing development of the river industry and water resource development. He also worked closely with federal agencies involved in water transportation development.

In 1941 he realized his dream of working for "The Waterways Journal" and thus was begun a 60-year plus love/work quest that has involved researching music, art, books, movies, people — all related to vessels and waterways.

A long, dedicated career has brought James V. Swift honors from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, and numerous water-transportation related organizations. In 1989, he was inducted into the National Rivers Hall of Fame. He has been a tireless, dedicated advocate of inland water transportation and water resource development.