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Published on 12/04/1995 All articles from this issue

Book review

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By Don DeNevi

Special to the Town Crier

California's paddle wheel history available in book form

Whether your interest is to learn the fascinating histories of the world's most famous steamboats, the "Delta Queen" and her identical twin, the "Delta King;" or you simply want to relish "PaddleWheeling" during the early part of this century, Stan Garvey's King and Queen of the River: The Legendary Paddle-Wheel Steamboats" has something for everyone.

Garvey, a Menlo Park resident since 1957, retired from Sunset Magazine where he worked as a copy writer. He has now authored a masterly, definitive account of the two river boats. His life-long interest has been paddle-wheel steamers built in California.

During the past four decades, his attention has focused on the redoubtable "Delta Queen" which finally went to the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in 1947.

From lively interviews with passengers and crew, as well as more than 140 photos, we are now privy to the "Queen's" travels, troubles and triumphs. As for the "King," we follow the boat's endearing history, including its survival from fires and sinking, a Canadian land locking and a midnight piracy. Garvey's first interviews were conducted in 1988 and his writings began in 1990. The book was published this past June.

"King and Queen of the River" offers lively histories, not only of two steamboats, but also of eras and geographic regions. For the more minutia minded, the 288 page hard cover is filled with deck plans, schedules, map line drawings and carefully chosen photos.

The book is available through bookstores or ordered direct. Send $27.95 plus $3.50 for shipping and handling, plus $2.31 California sales tax, to River Heritage Press, P.O. Box 7441, Menlo Park, 94026. For more information, call 1-800-852-4890.