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Grand Canyon Women: Lives Shaped by Landscape
An awesome and forbidding landscape that has made heroes or ordinary men. History has documented these lives well, but until now we have known little about the Canyon s heroines. Grand Canyon Women tells the humorous and heartbreaking stories of eighteen remarkable women--river runners, scientists, wranglers, architects, rangers, hikers, and housewives--each of whom, in the midst of nature s indiscriminate universe, discover her identity. Some come to the Canyon by happenstance, others seek it out with passion and purpose; most triumph over terrific challenges, while others meet a darker fate. Grand Canyon Women takes readers to places of life- defining discovery and to tidy homes of rural routine. No matter what the journey, these stories will inspire adventurous readers everywhere.
Author Bio: Betty Leavengood is a writer who specializes in local Arizona history and travel. She is the author of the Tucson Hiking Guide.
242 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 21, 2025
These stories inspire me to reach for loftier goals as a woman. The story of Elzada Clover and Louis Jotter who were trained botanists and yet did all the cooking on a 1938 river exploration expedition on the Colorado because men didn't cook back then, was just one example of what women have faced in history.
These stories draw my heart to the Grand Canyon.
These stories draw my heart to the Grand Canyon.
August 2, 2023
I wanted to read a book by a woman about adventures that women take-- and this checked all the boxes.
This book is about the lives of 19 women- the author and the adventures of the 18 wild women inside its pages. Drawn to the Grand Canyon by magnetic pull, for work, for marriage and everything in between. There's not a single story in here that wasn't inspiring in some way. I am absolutely floored by some of the adventures and misadventures I read about. About the work and grit that these women faced to make their dreams (and deaths) come to fruition.
The book is in chronological order starting at year 1867 up until 1956.
My three favorite chapters were:
A Canyon Trailblazer: Gale Burak a self proclaimed nudist who ended up working at a kitchen (clothes obvi) in Supai. The kitchen job lasted longer than she expected and it was very bare bones.
Woman of the River: Georgie White Clark
an inextinguishable flame that swam the lower Canyon in just a life preserver. And then decided to do it multiple times over.
Saddle Up! Lady Mule Wranglers of the Grand Canyon which is self explanatory but nonetheless extraordinary.
This books is a slam dunk 5/5 stars. Absolutely recommend reading it.
And then when you're done go out and have yourself a mighty adventure. The whole wide world is yours xxo.
This book is about the lives of 19 women- the author and the adventures of the 18 wild women inside its pages. Drawn to the Grand Canyon by magnetic pull, for work, for marriage and everything in between. There's not a single story in here that wasn't inspiring in some way. I am absolutely floored by some of the adventures and misadventures I read about. About the work and grit that these women faced to make their dreams (and deaths) come to fruition.
The book is in chronological order starting at year 1867 up until 1956.
My three favorite chapters were:
A Canyon Trailblazer: Gale Burak a self proclaimed nudist who ended up working at a kitchen (clothes obvi) in Supai. The kitchen job lasted longer than she expected and it was very bare bones.
Woman of the River: Georgie White Clark
an inextinguishable flame that swam the lower Canyon in just a life preserver. And then decided to do it multiple times over.
Saddle Up! Lady Mule Wranglers of the Grand Canyon which is self explanatory but nonetheless extraordinary.
This books is a slam dunk 5/5 stars. Absolutely recommend reading it.
And then when you're done go out and have yourself a mighty adventure. The whole wide world is yours xxo.
June 27, 2020
A hard book to rate because it is somewhat uneven. The prose is pedestrian, and each chapter ends with a moralizing sentence trying to sum up the life of the woman in question. The whole volume definitely has the feeling of self-publishing without a professional editor, and many of the chapters are book reports on other sources.
That said, it is valuable to have this collection of stories about many of these women in one place. I particularly value the focus on Native American women representing some of the tribes most impacted by the white development of the Grand Canyon, which are a completely different take than the adventuring tourism focus of the majority of the book. The chapters written from personal interviews are the most compelling.
Overall, entertaining and informative, but not the best writing.
Borrowed from GW during isolation. Read in stages between other books.
That said, it is valuable to have this collection of stories about many of these women in one place. I particularly value the focus on Native American women representing some of the tribes most impacted by the white development of the Grand Canyon, which are a completely different take than the adventuring tourism focus of the majority of the book. The chapters written from personal interviews are the most compelling.
Overall, entertaining and informative, but not the best writing.
Borrowed from GW during isolation. Read in stages between other books.
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June 14, 2021I was so excited about this book when I purchased it while on a visit to the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately it not very well written. I almost put it down several times because it was so off putting.
I’m glad I finished it, because I learned about the women who impacted, and were impacted by, the canyon. But Leavengood’s prose didn’t do the women justice. I think a good editor who knew what they were doing could have helped.
I’m glad I finished it, because I learned about the women who impacted, and were impacted by, the canyon. But Leavengood’s prose didn’t do the women justice. I think a good editor who knew what they were doing could have helped.
October 1, 2025
It was fascinating to learn about women pioneers in the canyon. I know the book was printed 10+ years ago but could be opted to more current times or at least reference that names have changed. I most liked the stories about the Native American women who are part of a canyon. Great story of history as I get ready to hike the canyon and will embrace and appreciate its history even more.
November 9, 2025
This book had potential. I felt the stories of women before modern times were better, more inspirationnal maybe. Or it felt more special … most of the recent stories were a bit boring. I love the idea to include native women in the reprint, but the choses stories did not really inspired anything. Kind of a disapointment for a promising book.
March 5, 2018
Betty Leavengood focuses on the lives of interesting, significant, influential, and relatively unknown women who were born in the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s and who had some connection to the Grand Canyon.
Food: Campfire time: stew.
Food: Campfire time: stew.
March 31, 2025
I recently took a trip to the Grand Canyon back in January and picked this book up at one of the visitor centers. I’m so glad I did! I loved learning about all these women all the different little short stories. I am definitely going to share this book with friends and family.
June 5, 2017
content was excellent and informative; prose left something to be desired
April 17, 2018
Fantastic read, empowering, and it will deepen your love of the Grand Canyon or excite it!
May 1, 2018
What great stories! I loved this book. Very inspiring and enjoyable throughout.
November 5, 2019
A great read for people, especially women, who love that part of the Southwest or have hiked that canyon. I am such a person in a family of folks who love that area.
December 31, 2019
I enjoyed this book very much. It was one of my purchases at the Grand Canyon gift shop on my first visit there this year.
June 3, 2022
This was an inspirational read.
May 28, 2024
This book is so gooooood bought it in the gift shop at the rim and it’s just so intriguing and inspiring. I’m hooked!!!
May 10, 2025
so interesting to read about all these women truly a gold secondhand bookstore find
February 4, 2008
The author isn't necessarily the best writer in the world, but rivers and canyons are my thing, so I absolutely loved reading about all of the different adventures in this book....especially since they are all adventures of women. Georgie White Clark is probably the craziest one of all!
November 5, 2009
It just confirms that I would love to get the Grand Canyon more myself. Planning a trip with my sister in a couple of years to walk or ride into the Canyon. I've only every been on the rim. It was great to hear about the Canyon's impact on other women's lives.
February 29, 2008
I need to re-read this one.
April 9, 2008
Power to women! Rangers, visitors and volunteers!
October 16, 2009
A great bunch of amazing women. Well told, wide range of backgrounds.
March 16, 2011
Although the writing is a bit uneven, these stories are all so inspiring I have to give it 4 stars.
Favorite chapter: Gale Burak.
Favorite chapter: Gale Burak.
May 28, 2013
Inspiring and awesome, I loved this book so much x
June 2, 2015
3.5 stars
August 6, 2016
Some of the stories were well written and I felt a connection to the person, while others were quite boring, with no emotional attachment at all.
November 4, 2016
Stories of the beloved canyon and the beautiful women who have loved, lived and fought for her and her peoples. I would really love for another book filled with more stories!!!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews