Canyons of the Colorado

by John Wesley Powell

Since we left the Colorado Chiquito we have seen no evidences that the tribe of Indians inhabiting the plateaus on either side ever come down to the river; but about eleven o'clock to-day we discover an Indian garden at the foot of the wall on the right, just where a little stream with a narrow flood plain comes down through a side canyon. Along the valley the Indians have planted corn, using for irrigation the water which bursts out in springs at the foot of the cliff. The corn is looking quite well, but it is not sufficiently advanced to give us roasting ears; but there are some nice green squashes. We carry ten or a dozen of these on board our boats and hurriedly leave, not willing to be caught in the robbery, yet excusing ourselves by pleading our great want. -from "August 26" Sometimes published under the name The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons, but more properly known by its original title, Canyons of the Colorado is the gripping personal account of the first navigation of the Colorado River, in 1869, by the man who led the journey. American geologist and explorer JOHN WESLEY POWELL (1834-1902), head of the Powell Geographic Expedition and later director of the U.S. Geological Survey, here regales us with the thrilling tale of the ten-man team and its assignment to map the last unmapped regions of the western territories of the United States. The highlight of their three-month the first known river journey through the wildness of the Grand Canyon. This replica of the 1895 edition includes all the original halftone illustrations. A classic of real-life adventure literature, it continues to captivate armchair explorers today.

Genres: History, Science, Travel, Nonfiction

428 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1895

About the author

John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) was a U. S. soldier, geologist, and explorer of the American West. He is famous for the 1869 Powell Geographic Expedition, a three-month river trip down the Green and Colorado rivers that included the first passage through the Grand Canyon. He studied at Illinois College, Wheaton College, and Oberlin College, acquiring a knowledge of Ancient Greek and Latin but never graduating. He was elected to the Illinois Natural History Society in 1859. Due to his deep Protestant beliefs, and his social commitments, his loyalties remained with the Union, and the cause of abolishing slavery. He enlisted in the Union army as a topographer and military engineer. In 1881 he became the second director of the U. S. Geological Survey, a post he held until 1894. He was also the director of the Bureau of Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institution until his death.

Reviews

[Richard Seltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this getting ready to go on a trip to the Southwest.

[RAW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to it on Hoopla. Rather dry and very much like reading a travel journal. He had published it as a book so I wasn't expecting that. The descriptions are amazing, but without the maps and illustrations it was hard to get a grasp of where he was and what it looked like. I would imagine a much better book to read than listen to.

Incredibly sad to here the description of Glen Canyon which seemed like a more gorgeous and intimate Grand Canyon on to know that it is now under a thousand feet of water and gone due to the Glen Canyon Dam. Glad this didn't happen to the Grand as originally planned.

Headed to the Grand in 1 month so a great prep.

[Renaissance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to download the book to my Kindle e-reader but, while the illustrations were noted, they were not viewable. Fortunately, while camping last month along the Grand Canyon North Rim, I found a copy of the book left on the "Free--take one" table as I entered the campground. So I would read the Kindle version and then refer to the book's illustrations periodically.

The book is a remarkable account of how John Wesley Powell explored the Grand Canyon on more than one expedition. It includes geology, archaeology, botany, a sensitivity and appreciation of indigenous culture, and more. The account is all the more remarkable for a number of reasons: Powell did this with one arm (having lost an arm in the Civil War); he did it with limited funds and sponsorships (this was not a federal government-sponsored event); he lost none of his men (other than those who parted on their own); he has an impressive wide knowledge of a variety of topics and a superb descriptive writing style.

Towards the end of the book and in various sections throughout, he becomes quite eloquent and even poetic about the sights he explored. Having recently visited and camped in many locations which he had described, I found the account all the more captivating and could easily reflect on his descriptions or, when available, go back to photos I had taken of the landscape.

I would consider this a "classic" journal of a daring adventure. It contains all of the above-noted elements, as well as drama, humor, suspense, mystery, and more. Powell is a gifted storyteller whose words can still be enjoyed by modern readers and whose explorations can still be admired.

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to be missed! I started Powell's book because it's essential Arizona history reading, but I was taken up by Powell's beautiful descriptive writing and the remarkable drama of his adventure. He writes in that slightly florid 19th-century style, which perfectly suits the sweep and spectacle of the canyon, and he's also personable, giving little glimpses of excitement and fear, daring and caution, humor and conflict.

The description he makes of outrunning a small flash flood to warn his men to move their camp was the most perfect vignette of being outdoors in the Southwest that I've yet encountered.

I think I highlighted the whole last chapter.

I also want to note that MAJOR IMPOSSIBLE: A GRAND CANYON TALE from the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series of graphic novels is good reading in its own right and does a great job with this source material, for readers who want the good-parts edition. More personal backstory, less geology.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost gave up on this but then skipped ahead past the geology etc. to his expedition. A great story from that point on. Amazing to read how these men made this journey with no outside support and compared to the rafting trips of today. Highly recommend to get a glimpse of early American exploration history.

[David Anusontarangkul · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was kind of a boring read but I it was interesting to see about life in the canyons of the Colorado.

[Daniel Routledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times a monumentally tedious book accounting geology, the true merit really shines through with further reading around Powell's life and circumstances. The fact he describes the area upstream of Glen Canyon as such a place of beauty really brings to light how modernisation has thrown aside the natural world, and therein lies the true worth of this read. It's not fluid to read, but if you persevere the poetry of his writing that you'll catch glimpses of make ot worthwhile. Furthermore, its a great account of contemporary views on the then largely unspoilt native American cultures out west, and some of Powell's renditions of native folklore are brilliant additions to the account of his adventure.

[Graham Mcmillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was listed on a list of some of the 100 best adventure travel books written. I don't think it quite ranked there. Yes this is the incredible story of the first (surviving) explorers of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, which was a terrifying journey of high courage in the face of the unknown. And the writing was actually quite good in parts. Unfortuantely it wasn't very consistent, with large sections devoted to the geology of the canyons, and other sections to the Indian life they came upon. All of which was interesting, but it seemed the book couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be.

So overall, 3 stars.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should have read this all those years when I lived in Utah and could have gone to see these sights (to the extent they are not under water).