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Far Appalachia: Following the New River North Audiobook
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(3.13) - 244 listener ratings
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With his sharp eye and gentle wit, Noah Adams doesn't just tell stories, he lets them unfold quietly, powerfully, and eloquently. Now the beloved host of NPR's All Things Considered and bestselling author of Piano Lessons takes us on a river journey through the heart of Appalachia--a journey shared by pioneers and preachers, white-water daredevils, bluegrass musicians, and an unforgettable cast of vivid historical characters. Noah Adams has Appalachia in his blood. A native of eastern Kentucky, he comes to the headwaters of the New River not just in search of adventure but to better understand his own unique heritage. Following the New River from its mile-high source on North Carolina's Snake Mountain to its West Virginia mouth, Adams travels by Jeep and by bicycle, by foot and, most thrillingly, by white-water raft to explore the history, natural beauty, and fascinating characters waiting around every bend and turn. Distilling history from legend, Adams tells of men and women whose lives crossed the New River before him: Daniel Boone, fleeing his farming family in search of wilderness; Cherokee Indians driven west on their Trail of Tears; and the ill-fated men who traveled thousands of miles to work on the Hawk's Nest Tunnel, making a fortune for a company while their lungs filled with deadly silica dust. And along the way Adams follows the echoes of his own distant heritage, interweaving his river journey through Appalachia with yet another voyage, thousands of miles away. With eloquence and compassion, Noah Adams paints a luminous portrait of a land and a people as richly vital and complex as America itself. At the same time, his quietly personal chronicle captures the sheer magic of the flowing waters: their sound, their eddies, their utter unpredictability. A vibrant and unforgettable read, Far Appalachia mesmerizes and haunts like the bluegrass music that still rings through the mountains and valleys in which it was born.
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"A good travelog type book with a wonderful voice. I grew up in the NC mountains and went to school at App State (those crawdads that live only in the New River? I did a thesis on those ^_^), so I knew some of these places. Adams did a wonderful job talking about the river and it's people."
— Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)
Far Appalachia Listener Reviews
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" Good story. It was fun to follow Noah on his adventure. I do agree with another reviewer wishing there was more depth to some of the story. But it was a quick and easy read which was also pleasant. "
— Kingston, 2/9/2014 -
" This book is about the New River valley, a truly lovely Appalachian waterway. My grandmother grew up in Galax, Virginia, so this book talks about her heritage. I live about an hour and a half away from the New River and have lived most of my life in the Appalachians so I really enjoyed this book. "
— Jeannette, 2/2/2014 -
" I listened to the unabridged version from iTunes. Noah Adams as the narrator made it an enjoyable listen. "
— Jennifer, 1/15/2014 -
" Also in my top five favorites...great story (especially if you're familiar with any of the places he writes about) "
— Abbie, 12/16/2013 -
" I have to give this one at least 4 stars because he is a distant cousin on my mother's side. And anyway, I liked the book. Reading about Appalachia where my mother lived as a child is always interesting for me. "
— Joanie, 11/13/2013 -
" I have rafted the New River, and have recently moved close to its headwaters. Consequently there were many things in the book to draw me in. But the book lacked a real sense of destination, and the characters, though well drawn, did not contribute to a cohesive whole. "
— Rick, 11/10/2013 -
" This calm and friendly book gave me some context for the places Mr. Karen talks about when he goes kayaking in that region. "
— Karen, 10/23/2013 -
" Solid stories about people and a wonderful journey thru place: the New River. I could feel the breezes and see the sun on the water. It felt like I was in the canoe with Noah Adams. Only drier. "
— Linda, 10/20/2013 -
" Noah Adams gives me a firsthand view of his West Virginia. He dispelled some opinions I held and let me enjoy the physicial beauties along the New River from my chair.The information about the movie Deliverance and the lives of coal miners really enhanced the benefits of this book. "
— Sandra, 9/29/2013 -
" It made me feel like I was almost home for a little while. "
— Anna, 9/12/2013 -
" a real little gem, gifted writer. "
— Jackie, 9/1/2013 -
" Absolute favorite non-fiction about Appalachia. Felt as though I was beside Adams as he talked about the places and people. "
— Mary, 3/27/2013 -
" I gave this an extra star because it covers a place I called home for most of my adult life. A nice, relaxing read, like an easy float down the New River. "
— Ralph, 3/23/2013 -
" particularly good read for anyone who has spent time along the New. it was great reading about some of my friends and people I've met in this book. "
— Brian, 3/19/2013 -
" For me, it was a slow start. I didn't really get in to it until the last fourth if the book when he was sharing his whitewater adventures. I have the Gauley on my list to do, so that kept me interested, but I wouldn't mark this as a must read for anyone. "
— Jennifer, 2/6/2013 -
" A meandering travel story that captures the scenery and the history of this unique and underappreciated part of the country. "
— Ryan, 1/20/2013 -
" Great book, chapter 2 is an interview with my dad. The interview was done the summer before dad got cancer and the book was published after he lost his battle with cancer. "
— Dudley, 12/13/2012 -
" A lovely book, reads like listening to Noah Adams speak. "
— Pam, 8/31/2012 -
" someday would like to visit this part of the country "
— becca, 8/22/2012 -
" Pleasant read about the towns and activities along the New River. "
— Jeff, 12/4/2011 -
" I usually do not like travel books, this one defied my early expectations. His description is both accurate and incomplete but appropriate so. He does not try to over reach like other authors writing about the region. "
— Jason, 7/6/2011 -
" bis "
— Milt, 7/1/2011 -
" Good insight into paddle travel in a fascinating part of the world. 'River right', 'river left', and a whole bunch of new but intuitive terms that Noah introduces to readers. Thanks. "
— Ted, 3/31/2011 -
" Absolute favorite non-fiction about Appalachia. Felt as though I was beside Adams as he talked about the places and people. "
— Mary, 1/10/2011 -
" For me, it was a slow start. I didn't really get in to it until the last fourth if the book when he was sharing his whitewater adventures. I have the Gauley on my list to do, so that kept me interested, but I wouldn't mark this as a must read for anyone. "
— Jennifer, 10/14/2010 -
" Noah Adams gives me a firsthand view of his West Virginia. He dispelled some opinions I held and let me enjoy the physicial beauties along the New River from my chair.The information about the movie Deliverance and the lives of coal miners really enhanced the benefits of this book. "
— Sandra, 9/9/2009 -
" Also in my top five favorites...great story (especially if you're familiar with any of the places he writes about) "
— Abbie, 8/9/2009 -
" Great book, chapter 2 is an interview with my dad. The interview was done the summer before dad got cancer and the book was published after he lost his battle with cancer. "
— Dudley, 2/24/2009 -
" A meandering travel story that captures the scenery and the history of this unique and underappreciated part of the country. "
— Ryan, 2/2/2009 -
" It made me feel like I was almost home for a little while. "
— Anna, 10/24/2008 -
" Good insight into paddle travel in a fascinating part of the world. 'River right', 'river left', and a whole bunch of new but intuitive terms that Noah introduces to readers. Thanks. "
— Ted, 9/9/2008 -
" I have rafted the New River, and have recently moved close to its headwaters. Consequently there were many things in the book to draw me in. But the book lacked a real sense of destination, and the characters, though well drawn, did not contribute to a cohesive whole. "
— Rick, 8/30/2008 -
" Kind of read like a really long NPR piece. Then I read the book jacket and saw the author worked for NPR. <br/> <br/>This was an interesting read and I enjoyed it. I'd like to go rafting someday in this area. "
— Kerry, 8/19/2008 -
" This calm and friendly book gave me some context for the places Mr. Karen talks about when he goes kayaking in that region. "
— Karen, 8/18/2008 -
" someday would like to visit this part of the country "
— becca, 7/23/2008 -
" I usually do not like travel books, this one defied my early expectations. His description is both accurate and incomplete but appropriate so. He does not try to over reach like other authors writing about the region. "
— Jason, 6/30/2008 -
" Pleasant read about the towns and activities along the New River. "
— Jeff, 1/12/2008 -
" I listened to the unabridged version from iTunes. Noah Adams as the narrator made it an enjoyable listen. "
— Jennifer, 10/21/2007 -
" Appalachia has always had a strange pull on my being. I visited, driven through, and avoided the region, but somehow it always seems to find me again. Made me want to plan a vacation to the New River Valley. "
— Carrie, 7/29/2007
About Noah Adams
Noah Adams is a senior correspondent for NPR News. In his current position, he works with NPR’s National Desk to cover stories on the working poor across America. He lives with his wife, Neenah Ellis, a freelance journalist, in Takoma Park, Maryland.