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313 reviews for:
The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon
Kevin Fedarko
4.34 AVERAGE
313 reviews for:
The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon
Kevin Fedarko
4.34 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Well researched and written. Kept my interest all the way through.
Going to raft the Grand Canyon next summer and this was highly recommended by the outfitter and my son. This is the story of the fastest trip down the river which was done during a high spring runoff with the Glen Canyon Dam on the verge of a major meltdown. The trip itself was almost anticlimactic compared to the story of the Canyon itself. I'm nervous about some of the rapids but so looking forward the night stars, the geology, and the adventure. And I'm ready to read more about the canyon and the Colorado River.
I started the audio version of this book but picked up the Kindle one because I was too anxious to finish the story. It's that good!
I started the audio version of this book but picked up the Kindle one because I was too anxious to finish the story. It's that good!
What a story. Told in amazing writing at times, yet at other times I felt there was way too much biographical details about every person involved as well as historical information that goes back centuries (perhaps such parts would be more interesting to those with an obsession in the Grand Canyon itself or in white water rafting). I am a huge fan of the Grand Canyon and of all outdoors, but it felt a little much for my taste. The writer is quite gifted nevertheless.
Another good read to pair right after: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventure-blog/2016/01/28/new-grand-canyon-speed-record-set-twice/
Another good read to pair right after: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventure-blog/2016/01/28/new-grand-canyon-speed-record-set-twice/
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
To be clear, this is an audiobook review. The narrator was so incredibly boring and slow. I increased the playback speed, and still found myself zoning out for a good chunk of the time. It was a strange mixture of not enough interesting stuff in the story itself (btw, the actual speed run isn't until the very end of the book), and the wrong kind of detail once the exciting stuff was actually happening.
I appreciate what the author did with this book, and I would recommend someone give the hard copy a try. It may be easier to visualize things if you're able to pay more attention.
I appreciate what the author did with this book, and I would recommend someone give the hard copy a try. It may be easier to visualize things if you're able to pay more attention.
What a phenomenal book! If you have rafted down the Grand Canyon (as I did a few summers ago) or if you want to raft down the river, this is a must read. It was so much fun to relive the thrilling rapids, and the comradery on the river. I have a much better understanding of the Colorado River now and the history behind it. The author was a staff writer at Time Magazine and also a part-time river guide in the Canyon, so knows how to write and also has real life experience. Great research, great true story! Oh and by the way, if you're thinking about going on a rafting trip down the Grand Canyon, get online and sign up now. The experience will stay with you a lifetime.
I wanted to like this book, and I’m sure it’s a good story, but I wasn’t crazy about the writing style & just couldn’t get past it. I quickly abandoned the book.