From the Bottom Up - Hardcover

Part Huckleberry Finn, part Pied Piper, this genuine, modern-day folk hero began his passionate journey while still in high school, when he first saw the trash that littered the bottom of his beloved river. Thus began his quest, from the bottom up, to seek help to clean up the Mississippi river. Ten years later, Chad Pregracke's one-man project has grown into a nationwide operation. This moving, first-person chronicle of Pregracke's own life along the Mississippi features colorful characters, a near-death experience, flying carp, and other flourishes worthy of a modern Mark Twain.

Pregracke's story has been told on NBC Nightly News, the Today Show, CNN (CNN's Tim Wall writes the introduction to the book), and in 336 newspapers and 52 magazines. His dedication inspires everyone in his path and his personal triumph as an advocate for America's rivers is strong motivation for donors and doers alike.

Hardcover
320 pages, 15 black & white photos
6'' x 9''
© 2007

At age 19, Chad Pregracke founded Living Lands & Waters, a not-for-profit environmental and educational organization. Today he directs the efforts of a fleet of barges and community work crews that engage thousands of volunteers in cleanups along our nation's big rivers. He lives in East Moline, Illinois.

Jeff Barrow is a longtime paddler and outdoors writer who has contributed to The Kansas City Star, The St. Louis Sun, Paddler magazine, and American Whitewater Journal. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

"Inspirational reading…" —Booklist

"Take a look at what this brash Midwestern environmentalist writes…Pregracke has become the Al Gore of the nation's river systems." —The Washington Post

"…an engrossing read that would well supplement any environmental history or wetland ecology course's reading list." —Library Journal