An extended meditation on a lively slip of river wilderness abutting the Mississippi. The lower Mississippi River winds past the City of New Orleans between enormous levees and a rim of sand, mud, and trees called "the batture." On this remote and ignored piece of land thrives a humanity unique to the region--ramblers, artists, drinkers, fishers, rabbit hunters, dog walkers, sunset watchers, and refugees from Immigration, alimony, and other aspects of modern life. Author Oliver A. Houck has frequented this place for the past twentyfive years. Down on the Batture describes a life, pastoral, at times marginal, but remarkably fecund and surprising.