Rating: 
Summary: Gripping Journalistic Work
Review: Although I traditionally steer away from books related to science and politics, I found myself enthralled with the story of the 1997 Grand Forks flood and recovery in Ashley Shelby's "Red River Rising." Shelby's lucid prose and talent for storytelling kept me turning the pages. What I found so fascinating was not only the series of mishaps that led to the flood itself, but the reaction of the community after the flood waters had receded. This book has clearly generated some strong reactions, as evident by a couple of the reviews here on amazon. But what bothered me about one review in particular is that a few of its comments are misleading. First, the claim that "the author failed to interview any Herald editors who served at the time of the flood" is deceptive. Shelby does interview Tom Dennis (see note 183 in the back of the book), who, though not living in Grand Forks at the time of the actual flood, was the Herald's opinion editor during the time of the city's reconstruction (the focus of Shelby's discussion of the Herald). Dennis was present at a number of the meetings that Shelby describes in the book. Second, to call Shelby a "pretentious fiction writer," is erroneous. I fail to understand how this book is pretentious (because there is a reference to Joyce? or is it the hydrological charts?). A glance at the book jacket also reveals that Shelby has an MFA in non-fiction (not fiction) writing from Columbia University. She has also been published in "The Nation." Has Shelby published fiction as well? Yes. It's not unusual for an author to write in both genres. I could go on and refute the rest of the aforementioned amazon review, but I'll let readers come to their own conclusions. Needless to say, I highly recommend "Red River Rising." It's fascinating, well-researched (endorsed by Douglas Brinkley), and if it generates this much controversy, it certainly can't be dull!
Rating: 
Summary: River of Errors
Review: Before buying this book or especially before considering everything in it as factual, consider this: A University of North Dakota history professor wrote a several thousand word review of this book in the April 18 Grand Forks Herald. The title of her veview: "A River of Errors". Among many other errors, Shelby could not even correctly spell the name of the governor of North Dakota. Read Dr. Porter's review for the perspective of someone who was actually there. Dave Hauschild Andover, MN.
Rating:
Summary: River of Malice
Review: Before taking the below reviewer's review to the bank, consider that the review he cites is from the local newspaper the author examines critically in the book; that the author of the review in this paper recommended her own competing book on the flood in that review; and that two professors of history from North Dakota reportedly vetted this book prior to publication, along with a Minnesota professor, a publications board, and two editors. Misspellings are easily corrected in a reprint--with them corrected, is this now a good book? Hard to know from the quality of both the newspaper's self-interested review and that of the reviewer below... Don't let petty small-town politics keep you from reading this exceptional book, which deconstructs one of the biggest disasters in U.S. history and the psychology of a town in distress.
Rating:
Summary: Journalism at its best
Review: Being a person NOT from Grand Forks, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Shelby is, contrary to the review below which is clearly from the editor of the Grand Forks Herald, actually not over her head. Having a background in hydrology myself, I can tell you with full confidence that this woman got the science right. I bet if the National Weather Service hydrologists she profiled were allowed to endorse books, they would come out and say that themselves. Excellent nonfiction provokes responses like the one below, because truth hurts. Being there during the flood actually makes you a LESS reliable witness. One thing is true: after reading this book, the last place you'll ever want to visit is Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Rating:
Summary: Over her head
Review: Having lived in Grand Forks at the time of the flood and through the "Joycean" "flood angst" that followed, I can not recommend this book. The errors are not simply "typos" but so numerous they point to sloppy work and, ultimately, a lack of respect for the people of Grand Forks. The book also draws very heavily on work done by the Grand Forks Herald which won a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for its news coverage during this period. Even the photo on the book's cover was taken by a Herald photographer. Given all this, it is amazing the author failed to interview any Herald editors who served at the time of the flood. And to insinuate that the editor of the Herald didn't have flood insurance (untrue) and thus had a personal vendetta against the National Weather Service is over the top. Not to give the paper's editorial staff a chance to defend itself from criticism in the book from failed politicians and bureacrats is shoddy work. For a pretentious fiction writer to try to stain the reputation of this paper and its editor is too much. By-the-way, the professor who reviewed the book for the paper was named in the credits of Shelby's book for her help (why help Shelby if she's a "competitor"). Far from an "axe job," the review accurately points to flaws due to an "author" over her head.
Rating:
Summary: Well Written, Compelling...Highly Recommend this book
Review: I am from the West Coast and found this book to be both a compelling and informative documentary of a community coming apart at the seams. I could care less if the Governor of ND is spelled wrong... who cares. I didn't even know nor did I care who the Governor of North Dakota was before I read this book. If you are looking to read a book that is well written and educational order and read this book. If you are looking to read a book that demonstrates the do's and don'ts of grammatical punctuation in american literature contact the lady from Grand Forks who gives this book one star..... incedently her review contained grammatical errors itself. Can't wait to pick up Shelby's next book. Take an opinion from someone outside Grand Forks.... This is a great book
Rating: 
Summary: Over-sensitive Idiots Rising
Review: I enjoyed this book. As a life-long resident of North Dakota, I love getting an impartial analysis from outside the state on such a major event, and heartily enjoy the ball-busting this author gives the area. The simple fact is, people did look desperately for scapegoats in the form of the National Weather Service or the Army Corps of Engineers or what have you, and I think the same story is likely repeated every year in similar disasters in this country. People do and think foolish things in times of calamity, and I wish more people in this area would own up to our own displays of idiocy.
Rating:
Summary: superb book!!!
Review: I picked this book up as a gift for a friend who lived through the flood and I became so engrossed in it I never put it in the mail! (I bought another copy for my him. ) As well as being hugely infomative, there was a richness of detail and character that gave it the feel of a gripping novel. The book brought home for me the true devastion of the flood, which I had of course heard about, but could not truly fathom until Red River Rising. I was surprised to read another Amazon reviewer (and local) say: "There is a sense throughout the book that North Dakota residents are hicks waiting on federal hand outs, too stupid to purchase flood insurance, and too easily swayed by a newspaper column." It's a strange comment. You could only conclude the person read a different book. Red River Rising reads as nothing less than a moving tribute to the intelligent, proud, generous and above all courageous people of Grand Forks. I recommend it highly!
Rating:
Summary: Best disaster book I've ever read!
Review: Poor North Dakota. They are hit hard by nature--and hit even harder by their own sad infighting. My only problem with this book is the claim of "survival" in the subtitle. It's clear that Grand Forks has not survived this flood, not without some serious wounds to the community. There is something of the Old Testament in this story. This book is beautifully written, fast paced, and gripping. I found it absolutely gut wrenching.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't stop reading!
Review: Red River Rising offers great journalism and an enthralling read in the same package. I kept saying to myself, "Just one more page..." Shelby presents a masterful overview of the disaster and brings all of the people to life, too. A terrific book.
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