The Great Read: Seeking Tales and Sipping Whiskey in a Shack Floating Down the Bayou
The shanty boat was bound for New Orleans, but the destination mattered less than the challenges, chance encounters and lessons learned along the way.
The New York Times
The Great Read

August 19, 2025, 2:01 p.m. Eastern time

On weekdays and Sundays, we recommend one piece of exceptional writing from The Times — a narrative or essay that takes you someplace you might not expect to go.

Article Image

Seeking Tales and Sipping Whiskey in a Shack Floating Down the Bayou

The shanty boat was bound for New Orleans, but the destination mattered less than the challenges, chance encounters and lessons learned along the way.

Open now

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for top stories or great reads from The New York Times.

To stop receiving The Great Read, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebookxinstagramwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018