George Ivey

Amid the southern Appalachian mountains, Peter Bailey takes on the kind of meaningful challenge he’s been searching for—saving the Akwanee River. He strives to build common ground with a peculiar assortment of people, but more often meets with apathy, suspicion, or outright opposition. Peter also discovers unexpected sources of inspiration and support that prove as rare and fragile as the endangered aquatic species he is trying to protect.

Sometimes amused, often frustrated, and always challenged, Peter must learn the needs of the river and the ways of the locals and try to bring them into harmony before it’s too late.

For anyone who aspires to make things better, Up River goes beyond the competing themes of degradation, loss, recovery, and renewal. This distinctive novel delivers a memorable perspective and instructive lessons on what it means, and what it takes, to make a difference.

                        To sample the first few pages of Up River, click here.

You can also buy Up River through any local bookseller (including Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe in Asheville, Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville, and City Lights Bookstore in Sylva), Hunter Banks fly fishing store in Asheville, the Asheville Art Museum, and online through amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

What Other People Are Saying about Up River

“Up River shows what it is like to go against the stream in a good cause. George Ivey gives us a fascinating story, filled with folks friendly and threatening, cheery and cranky. The subjects this fast-paced novel addresses are as important as they are plentiful. Everyone who has ever been a stranger in a new place will sympathize with Peter Bailey; everyone who has tried to beat long odds will cheer for him. And anyone who reads Up River will learn how perilous is the balance of nature—and human nature. Entrancing.” — Fred Chappell, poet and author of Brighten the Corner Where You Are

“Ivey captures both the aspirations and real-world challenges facing conservationists. This book gives direction to the world’s future change agents.” — Phillip Ray Gibson, Environmental Leadership Center, Warren Wilson College; former French Broad Riverkeeper®

“Though the Akwanee [River] — and the town of Walnut Flats — are both fictional, Ivey’s account of Peter Bailey’s struggles to gain a foothold in this mountain community, to win the trust of some of its people, and to carry out his mission in regard to the river ring true as a bell. …Up River offers us an excellent lesson in both the reasons we should care more for our rivers and our wilderness areas, and in the human difficulties that beset that caretaking. Highly recommended.” —  Jeff Minick, “Reading Room” Columnist, Smoky Mountain News (November 4, 2009)

"Christmas list starters: These books make great gifts, including for yourself" - Up River is one of five books featured in the article. —  Rob Neufeld, book reviewer and columnist for Asheville Citizen-Times (November 22, 2009) Download a PDF of this article >

"...a fascinating look at the complexities of environmental work in a community." —  Susan Lefler, Smoky Mountain Living magazine, Spring 2010 (www.smliv.com)

Next Author Appearances 

Radio Interview on "Stories of Mountain Folk," Saturday, August 21, 2010

Listen to Doreyl Ammons Cain's 10-minute interview with George Ivey on this weekly program dedicated to the people and history of the Southern Appalachian mountains (scroll down and hit the play button): storiesofmountainfolk.com/2010/08/21/stories-of-mountain-folk---august-21-2010.aspx

5th Annual Carolina Mountains Literary Festival, Burnsville, NC - Friday, Sept. 10 and Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010

George has been invited to participate in this wonderful festival a little bit north of Asheville. For a schedule of events and more, go to http://www.cmlitfest.org/.

About the Author

Born, raised, and again living in Western North Carolina, George Ivey has spent more than eighteen years protecting rivers, farmland, and other natural resources in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and elsewhere. His writings have appeared in numerous publications, including Nature Conservancy, Iceland Review, Smoky Mountain News, and Echoes Across the Blue Ridge: Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Up River is his first novel. Find out more at www.georgeivey.com.