TOWBOAT PILOT

A very long, frequently tedious account with much good material which might have been exceptional if the blue pencil had been judiciously employed. The story of Tom Briggs, who from boyhood on the Gasconade River, wanted to work on boats. His struggle with his step-father, his difficulties as a prankster and ""bad boy"", his many adventures on the teeming, busy river --through to young manhood and a happy fulfillment as a towboat pilot. Colorful incidents of town life, half of which might have been omitted as repetitive, are told around the core of the mighty river.... Places, rivers, background are authentic, which lends the book regional value in the Missouri area which it covers. Reference value for high school libraries- but a steep price for general distribution.