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311 reviews for:
The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon
Kevin Fedarko
4.35 AVERAGE
311 reviews for:
The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon
Kevin Fedarko
4.35 AVERAGE
Really good exciting adventure read. Lots of historical information about the Grand Canyon and the area of the Emerald mile. Very satisfying read and instills in your the desire for adventure!
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This well-written book covers so much more than just the speed run. It is an engaging journey through the history of the Colorado River from its earliest discoverers to the engineering marvels that made the speed run possible.
adventurous
informative
tense
slow-paced
When I picked this book up, I was sold under the premise that this would be a non-fiction thriller down the Colorado river in a boat called The Emerald Mile taking place during El Niño season with the fastest rapids imaginable and perhaps dire consequences. Yes, that all takes place in this book. But only in the last quarter of it. The first three-quarters of the book is a history lesson of the Colorado river and the Grand Canyon, mostly its relationship with humans and what we have done to tame it.
Thankfully, I really enjoyed the history lesson. But if I had come in only expecting the actual boat ride, I would have been severely disappointed and likely given it up. That being said, there's a lot of really interesting facts about the canyon. I didn't realize that when the Hoover dam was built, the Lake Mead reservoir filled up with so much water that it dented the crust of the earth and caused over 600 earthquakes in the area. The political intrigue behind the environmental groups and the `fight to prevent more dams from being built, and the tensions it caused.
The actual Emerald Mile story is full of twists and turns...quite literally. The riveting ride through the canyon and the ensuing consequences for even daring to go on such a risky adventure adds a lot to the narrative, and I would have been completely happy if that was the only focus of the book.
Overall, a long but educational read. Don't read if you plan on going white water rafting in the Grand Canyon any time soon; otherwise, I'd recommend.
Thankfully, I really enjoyed the history lesson. But if I had come in only expecting the actual boat ride, I would have been severely disappointed and likely given it up. That being said, there's a lot of really interesting facts about the canyon. I didn't realize that when the Hoover dam was built, the Lake Mead reservoir filled up with so much water that it dented the crust of the earth and caused over 600 earthquakes in the area. The political intrigue behind the environmental groups and the `fight to prevent more dams from being built, and the tensions it caused.
The actual Emerald Mile story is full of twists and turns...quite literally. The riveting ride through the canyon and the ensuing consequences for even daring to go on such a risky adventure adds a lot to the narrative, and I would have been completely happy if that was the only focus of the book.
Overall, a long but educational read. Don't read if you plan on going white water rafting in the Grand Canyon any time soon; otherwise, I'd recommend.
Really fun to hear about both the Grand Canyon and raft guides in this book. I did lose a little focus each time the government stuff came up. Thoroughly enjoyed the read
A really brilliant work that encompasses both the natural and man-made history on the Colorado river. The first few chapters stumble a bit but once you get to the beginning of Powell's adventure, Fedarko has found his stride.
Fedarko weaves an intricate, fast-paced narrative with beautiful language and an zeal for his topic. I particularly appreciated Fedarko's fairness in covering the dam, the park rangers, and the river rats.
I found it impossible to not be awed because at its core this is a book of feats- geological, architectural, and daring. Its as easy to get wrapped up in the story as it is to be carried down the river, and along the way you are going to learn about so much. Its quite astonishing the amount of geology, river and white water knowledge, and conservation history in here.
I think that this work is particularly important now. Our national parks are always defending themselves against outside forces and they are our heritage. We must continue to appreciate and fight for our heritage and it is our time to do the due diligence the Litton and others have done before us.
Fedarko weaves an intricate, fast-paced narrative with beautiful language and an zeal for his topic. I particularly appreciated Fedarko's fairness in covering the dam, the park rangers, and the river rats.
I found it impossible to not be awed because at its core this is a book of feats- geological, architectural, and daring. Its as easy to get wrapped up in the story as it is to be carried down the river, and along the way you are going to learn about so much. Its quite astonishing the amount of geology, river and white water knowledge, and conservation history in here.
I think that this work is particularly important now. Our national parks are always defending themselves against outside forces and they are our heritage. We must continue to appreciate and fight for our heritage and it is our time to do the due diligence the Litton and others have done before us.
Amazing. Easily one of the best and most exciting books I have read in a long, long time! Spectacular!
A fascinating book that ended up being about much more than it first appears.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced