There’s a certain magic in old photographs, an ability to capture not just a moment but an entire feeling, a sense of being there. Justus Wayne Thomas’ The River Will Be a Part of Us is a testament to that power: a visual diary of youthful adventure, camaraderie, and the relentless pull of the river. Yet, as much as I enjoyed this book, I must admit that I may have been spoiled recently by the likes of Writing in the Sand, Tulsa, Return, and Or Glory, all of which struck deeper emotional chords for me. That said, Thomas’ book is still a remarkable piece of work, offering a compelling, if slightly different journey.

In 1981, a group of young adventurers set out on a homemade raft, launching from Kansas City with the intention of floating down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. Thomas, an aspiring photographer at the time, was invited aboard to document the journey. What resulted is a collection of 100 stunning colour photographs that not only tell the story of the trip but also capture something much larger: a longing for exploration, the beauty of uncertainty, and the fleeting nature of youth.

The book’s epigraph, “Second star to the right and straight on ’til morning”, sets the tone perfectly. There’s an undeniable Peter Pan-like quality to the images, a dreamlike sense of wonder combined with the practical realities of navigating an unpredictable river. As Atlanta curator and historian TK Smith notes in his introduction, the book conjures “a nostalgia for something yearned for but rarely experienced, adventure.”

Thomas’ photographs are undeniably beautiful. They have a rawness that speaks to the era in which they were taken, a time before digital perfection, when film grain and natural light dictated what was possible. The colour palette is rich yet subdued, leaning into the warmth of Ektachrome film, giving the images a softness that enhances their nostalgic quality.

One standout photograph captures the raft, Eulenspiegel, dwarfed by the vastness of the river. It’s a striking image, one that emphasises both the fragility of their vessel and the enormity of the journey ahead. Other photographs capture the camaraderie of the crew, laughing, working together, and simply existing in a world that felt separate from the rest of society. The sense of freedom is palpable, and it’s easy to get lost in the pages, imagining oneself aboard the raft, feeling the gentle sway of the current beneath it.

As idyllic as many of the images are, Thomas doesn’t shy away from the dangers they faced. In one particularly harrowing anecdote, he recounts how the raft was nearly crushed beneath a barge in St. Louis, saved only by a last-minute mooring line. Another moment of sheer terror came when they were unexpectedly pulled into a darkened chute, their raft scraping over a waterfall before re-emerging into the Mississippi.

This balance between adventure and real peril adds depth to the narrative. It’s not just a collection of pretty pictures, it’s a story of resilience, problem-solving, and the unpredictability of nature. These moments, though brief, provide a necessary counterpoint to the book’s more poetic elements, grounding the journey in reality.

One of the most fascinating aspects of The River Will Be a Part of Us is the passage of time between when the photographs were taken and when the book was finally published. Thomas initially intended to publish these images soon after the trip, but life intervened. It wasn’t until decades later, after reconnecting with his fellow travellers, that he felt the time was right to revisit the project.

This delay adds another layer of meaning to the book. The photographs are not just documents of a journey but reflections on how memory shapes our understanding of the past. The emotions they evoke are not only those of the young people who embarked on the journey in 1981 but also of the older, wiser individuals they became.

As much as I admire Thomas’ work, I must acknowledge that The River Will Be a Part of Us didn’t resonate with me in quite the same way as Writing in the Sand, Tulsa, Return, or Or Glory. Those books had a certain emotional weight and storytelling depth that made them feel more immersive. Thomas’ book, while stunning in its imagery, sometimes feels more like a photo album than a deeply personal narrative.

I found myself wanting more insight into the crew members’ thoughts and experiences. While there are reflections included, they don’t always provide the same level of introspection that other books in this genre have achieved. It’s a beautiful book, but at times, it feels a step removed from the deeper emotional impact I had hoped for.

Despite my minor reservations, The River Will Be a Part of Us is still an excellent addition to any photography or travel book collection. It captures a moment in time that feels both specific and universal, the call to adventure, the bonds of friendship, and the way experiences shape us long after they’ve ended.

For those drawn to stories of exploration and the beauty of film photography, this book is a must-see. While it may not have hit me in quite the same way as some of the other photography books I’ve recently reviewed, it’s a testament to Thomas’ skill that these images linger in my mind long after closing the cover.

Again, to reiterate, just because it didn’t have the same emotional pull and feel to the others mentioned does not make it a bad book, it is a good book and very well put together.

It’s a book that reminds us of something important: the journey matters but so does how we remember it.

Regards

Alex