sweep the invading enemies into the river. Despite such setbacks, Clemens builds his riverboat, a side paddle wheeler which is named the Not for Hire. However, on the day of its christening, King John betrays Clemens and steals the ship. As the boat steams away, Clemens vows to build an even bigger and better boat and to exact revenge on King John. Reception Lester del Rey found the novel to be "a major piece of fiction. . . . Farmer pursuing one of his private delights to its ultimate end." See also Riverworld References 1971 American novels 1971 science fiction novels American science fiction novels Novels by Philip José Farmer Riverworld Works originally published in If (magazine) Novels first published in serial form Books with cover art by Richard M. Powers