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Barges heading down the Mississippi River carry most of the United State’s soy beans, corn and other crop exports to a global market. But, the river’s role as a trade superhighway goes back hundreds if not thousand of years.

In his new book “Life on the Mississippi” best-selling author Rinker Buck writes about floating from Pittsburgh to New Orleans in a wooden flat boat, following the same water routes taken by thousands of flatboats that carried goods downstream in the 19th century.  

MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks with Rinker and a local river historian about the forgotten history of the flatboat era, modern river communities and why so many of us love the Mighty Mississippi. 

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In his new book “Life on the Mississippi,” author Rinker Buck writes about floating to New Orleans in a wooden flat boat from a bygone era. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell explores Mississippi River history with Rinker and John Anfinson, retired superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

MPR News with Angela Davis - In his new book “Life on the Mississippi,” best-selling author Rinker Buck writes about floating to New Orleans in a wooden flat boat from a bygone era. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell explores how the Mighty Mississippi threads its way through American history with Rinker and John Anfinson, retired superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. 

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