I liked it; I didn't love it. It was honest, unflinching and harrowing. The author endured an amazingly difficult childhood, found her footing on the water, and emerged whole on the other side. My biggest difficulty is the missing 20 or so years, from returning from Africa to the present day. It was talked about in maybe three paragraphs. It just didn't hit me right, as there was a lot of detail in the rest of her story.

Overall, quite interesting, with a whole lot of white water info. The African section was particularly fascinating.

Beautiful cover, too.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

thank you to netgalley and spiegel & grau for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
first off, unlike other reviewers, i do not like memoirs. they are usually just too painful for me. even though the pain and suffering we humans endure is something i engage in all the time, with clients, loved ones, and my self. but when there's a memoir about white water rafting, and rivers, and nature, i'm all in. this book did not disappoint in those categories. there was arm chair adventure, and also such tender moments of accompanying bridget crocker through her childhood and young adulthood, riddled with abuse, rejection/abandonment, confusion, fear and very flawed parents. the writing itself is well done. this book is not for the faint of heart, concerning both the river action and the family action. and bridget shows herself to be a person of substance. she cares about others, she defends the vulnerable people she works alongside of in africa, and she respects the rivers she rides on. sounds like a really good human to me!

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of The River’s Daughter, by Bridget Crocker, from Spiegel & Grau/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

This book was not for me.

It was well-written, and I’m about the same age as the author, so I really gave it every chance I could. But after getting to the halfway point this afternoon I realized (for about the 8 millionth time in my life) that well-written doesn’t necessarily mean enjoyable to me. In this case, it was a combo of feeling like a formula was being followed (fake intimacy) and too much detail about whitewater rafting.

I mean, I know not to read Moby Dick if you’re not interested in whaling. I get that. But I am a little interested in rafting, even though I’ve only ever canoed and tubed on rivers. Just didn’t enjoy the descriptions I did read, and could only imagine that there was a great, great deal more to come.

Also, I’m not the earthy-crunchy sort. My idea of camping means staying in an all-comforts lodge adjacent to a hiking trail.

I feel quite sure, though, that the book will be a great hit with its target market.

PS
After reading a little bit of this book yesterday I asked my husband if he liked memoir as a genre. He said he couldn’t answer that because to him it would depend on any given book in question.

I said I like memoir, because I enjoy learning about other cultures/approaches to life/vocations/etc., and also because—at their best—they illustrate how very much alike people are at the very core of their beings. I also appreciate people being willing to share their vulnerabilities on the page. Not something I think I could do.

DESCRIPTION
A vivid and propulsive memoir about finding courage and meaning in a life outdoors, by a world-class whitewater rafting guide.

After Bridget Crocker’s parents’ volatile divorce, she moved with her mother from Southern California to Wyoming. Her life was idyllic, living in a trailer park on the banks of the Snake River with a stepfather she loved, a new baby brother, and the river as her companion—until her mother suddenly took up a radical new lifestyle, becoming someone Bridget barely recognized. The one constant in her life—the place Bridget felt whole and fully herself—was the river. When she discovered the world of whitewater rafting, she knew she’d found her calling.

On the river, Bridget learned to read the natural world around her and came to know the language of rivers. One of the few female guides on the Snake River, she then traveled to the Zambezi River in Africa, the most dangerous whitewater in the world, where she faced death and learned to conquer her fears—both on the water and off. The river taught her to overcome years of betrayals and abuse, to trust herself, and, finally, how to help heal her family from generational cycles of poverty and abuse.

A beautifully rendered memoir of a woman coming into her own, The River’s Daughter opens us to the possibilities of transformation through nature.

Although I am not outdoorsy, I delight in reading about other people's adventures in the vast wilds of our planet.

Although eventually, the story features treacherous tales from some of the most harrowing bodies of water on Earth, it begins with the danger and uncertainty of an abusive childhood.

Parts of the book reminded me of A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko, which I also loved!

Crocker's writing is beautiful. Her respect for the rivers she travels and her relationships with the spirits of the various waters are heartwarming.

Although the book does have plenty of adventurous moments, there are dark parts as well, touching on things like sexual abuse and family violence.

I felt that including that part of her past illustrated just how strong the author had to become, both emotionally and physically, to become the incredible whitewater explorer, guide, and author she is today.

I couldn't put this one down and read it in a day!

Many thanks to #netgalley for this ARC of #theriversdaughter, and thank you to Bridget Crocker for sharing your inspiring story with us!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced copy of The River's Daughter by Bridget Crocker. This memoir is a captivating coming-of-age adventure that keeps you cheering for Bridget every step of the way. While it includes some difficult themes (which you're thoughtfully warned about at the start), it’s a deeply moving story that tugs at your heartstrings. If you love adventure and rooting for an unlikely hero, this book is a must-read. Bridget’s journey is raw, inspiring, and beautifully told—a memoir I hope will be cherished for generations to come.

If you enjoyed Wild or Educated you should read this. A story of resilience and finding yourself after a terrible childhood. Crockers memoir is full of hope and adventure.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book. It’s a quick easy read that follows the life of the author. From struggling with a difficult childhood to her finding joy in river rafting .

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook on exchange for my honest review.
Bridget Crocker left California for Wyoming after her parents’ contentious divorce. Her mother settled them near the Snake River, remarried and had a new baby. All was mostly well in Bridget’s life until her mother divorced her stepfather and took on a new personality. In order to escape, Bridget return to California to live with her father where she was physically abused and eventually returned to Wyoming to finish high school. Along the way, the Snake River became a place of solace and healing for Bridget. Her skills and life would take her to the Zambezi River in Africa, as well as the Kern River closer to home.
Her childhood contained a lot of abuse and trauma that I’m sure many would readers can relate to on some level. The majority of the “meat” of the book is her personal experiences on the rivers which I found really interesting and exciting although nothing I would want to experience myself.
The ending of the book was a bit rushed, there is about a 10 year gap where the author did a lot of healing and growing, but we don’t get to see that. I really appreciated the grace she gives her parents. Acknowledging that even though they were far from “good” parents, they still contribute to her success by the lessons they taught her, either by necessity or choice. I would love to see a follow-up book covering that gap of time to see what work went into healing, although that is very personal and can see why she wouldn’t want to share that.
If you’re a fan of memoirs in general, or if you love reading about adventure and nature I would definitely recommend this book.

Beautifully written emotional moving Bridget Crocker shares her intimate life story.Her connection to different river is very special.I was immediately drawn into her life and was sorry when I red the last page.#netgalley #spiegal&grau

Bridget Crocker has written a memoir that draws you in and holds your attention. She writes about how rivers have shaped her life and how the rivers have helped her get through some troubling times. I enjoyed the book, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC.

THE RIVER'S DAUGHTER is a fantastic memoir that should appeal to a wide variety of readers. I especially admire the structure and how the author examines her life in the context of different rivers she has encountered. Her descriptions of harrowing whitewater adventures kept me enthralled. Ultimately this is an inspiring story of perseverance, bravery, and strength, even when encountering terrifying obstacles. The writing here is very strong, and I will be recommending this memoir to many readers.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

I think I may need to check my blood pressure and slow my breathing down now that I’ve finished this excellent and high intensity memoir! I couldn’t put it down and read it completely in 2 days. I would have likened it to riding a roller coaster, but given the focus of the book, I think rafting down the largest rivers in world would be a more apt analogy. It was absolutely harrowing to read about Bridget’s childhood and everything she overcame to reach where she is today — what a testament to perseverance and inner strength. I initially picked this book because of my interest in the white-water rafting and the river guide aspects but found myself just as interested in Bridget’s personal stories and her relationships with her parents, friends and boyfriends. Reading this book felt like sitting on a couch with your best friend, with a glass wine, and stories laid bare in such a raw and personal way. Bridget doesn’t hold back and even admits when she made a wrong choice or didn’t listen to her gut. It’s a truly inspiring memoir that I hope many will discover. I will definitely be considering this book as my pick for my book club this year.

I also must mention that Bridget’s descriptions of different places and rivers was so spot on. I found myself watching videos of real rafting trips on various rivers she described and her prose really captures the differences between the volumes of water, the rapids and the surrounding natural landscape. I learned so much about the Zambezi River but find myself just wanting to learn and watch more. There’s something so intriguing about all of Bridget’s experiences — it truly felt immersive.

A huge thank you to Bridget Crocker for sharing so much of yourself. Thank you to Siegel & Grau for publishing this story. And thank you to NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I devoured this amazing book and have so much respect for the author. Through years of abuse and pain comes a strength that is unparalleled. Bridget’s unique connection with each river she encounters, and conquers, only grows her strength, guts and ability to persevere and overcome any obstacle she faces.

The River’s Daughter is an unforgettable memoir that is both poignant and action-packed… I honestly couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I am curious as to what happened to Steve- he was such a huge and important character throughout the book. I do understand, though, that he is a part of history!

I hope the author continues her writing journey- I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us!

Thanks to NetGalley for my Advanced Readers Copy. Truly a memorable book!

The River's Daughter is a unique and compelling book that keeps you hooked until the end! Bridget Crocker is a great writer and I really enjoyed this book.

"Rivers have shaped not just my callused hands but the course of my life."

What a fantastic memoir. Bridget Crocker is a survivor in every sense of the word. The River's Daughter is a deeply moving story that navigates the turbulent waters of her life. Yet, despite the darkness, there’s an undeniable undercurrent of strength, hope, and healing.

Throughout her journey, the one constant has been the rivers that shaped her youth. More than just a backdrop, they became her refuge, her teachers, and ultimately, her path to finding meaning and purpose. Bridget may be a river guide, but it’s clear that the rivers guided her just as much—offering solace and shaping the resilient, courageous woman she is today.

This memoir is raw, inspiring, and uplifting despite the heavy themes. If you’re looking for a story that will move you and remind you of the power of resilience, this is it.

Enjoyed reading this book. Though dark at times that is the nature of life. Bridgets ability to overcome adversity and grow as a person is incredible. Many people would be knocked over by life. I finished this book excited to continue following her story. I’d recommend this for anybody going through struggles in life who can’t see a way out.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

I loved this book and must admit I didn’t realize it was a memoir at first. I loved the writing and everyone in the book. Loved coming along on the adventures and seeing life through another’s eyes. Thank you for opening. A window for us to peer in.

Beautifully written book of Bridget’s journey through this crazy world. This book hits all the notes love, growth, survival and joy. So informative about the rafting world. Enjoyed reading about Africa’s rivers as well. Almost haunting her soul. Highly recommend!

What a beautifully constructed memoir!

Navigating the extreme rapids in rivers around the world turns out to be easier for the author than navigating the perils of family and childhood trauma.

This memoir offers an unflinching look at the author’s troubled childhood, and brings the same intensity to the writer's relationships with the ribers in her life. It delivers us to calm waters at the end. Along the way, it offers a fascinating look into the world of guiding river trips.

I appreciated Bridget Crocker sharing their story with the reader. It was a strong story and I was invested in what was going on in this memoir. I enjoyed hearing stories from rafting as a guide and glad it was so well done.