Grand Canyon Thunder

National Parks Historical Fiction #1

by Gary McCarthy

THE MIGHTY COLORADO RIVER...as wild and unpredictable as its thundering rapids...as relentless as its first daring explorers. THE 1869 POWELL EXPEDITION...deep in a chasm of roaring water and soaring stone and at a deadly stretch of river now named Separation Rapids, three desperate men abandoned the expedition after months of unspeakable hardships and near starvation. But only one of the three could survive high up on the wild, uncharted North Rim. WILLIAM DUNN...a mountain man forever haunted by guilt and driven by the love of extraordinary women will cast his fate across the vast and magnificent Grand Canyon of the Colorado in an epic tale of undying courage. This is a story of fearless river adventurers, brave and beautiful women and the early Mormon pioneers all of whose lives are interwoven with the Navaho, Hopi and the Havasupai...“The People of the Blue Green Water.” GRAND CANYON THUNDER is a never to be forgotten American saga written by multiple award-winning author Gary McCarthy.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2011

About the author

Gary McCarthy is the author of fourteen American historical novels and thirty-four westerns published by many of New York's major publishing houses. He has over three million books in print and continues to research and write his Canyon Country novels.

Growing up with horses and living in California, Nevada and Arizona, Gary is well suited to writing about the American West. He received his B.S. degree in Animal Science and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics. He has a keen interest in Native American cultures, especially the Hopi, Navajo, Havasupai and Haulapai who live in Northern Arizona.

Gary and his wife Jane live in Arizona and have often ridden horses and hiked in the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests. Gary is always looking for new stories set in the American West and considers the research to be among his most favorite pursuits.

Reviews

[Diamond Cowboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. The author paints a beautiful picture with his words.

[Rob Perschau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book and a very engaging yarn. It's the kind of book you hate to see come to an end. It's mostly fiction, but it's based on fact. Our main character, William Dunn, really existed and probably died in an Indian attack. The book is built on the notion that he escaped the attack, and examines what his life might have been like. You'll like it.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having just kayaked all 280 miles through the Grand Canyon in the midst of Covid 2020 with my daughter, this book was a fun read after our return. I didn't get to read much of it in the Canyon due to limited time on dry land. The story weaves throughout many historical points of interest and several of the side canyons/places we stopped to see or camped at. The writing style is noteably unsophisticated. There is no attempt at high literature here, but it's a good story with lots of connections to history. If you've had experience in the canyon or intend to, I expect most people would enjoy this light and amusing book. I learned a good bit of Canyon history and lore through reading it.

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been to the Havasupai Indian reservation in the Grand Canyon, this book brought back fond memories of this exquisitely beautiful spot. I enjoyed the characters and plot of this well crafted tale.

[Caprice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Grand novel of canyon history paired with great geological poetry intertwined with fictional romances between New England settlers/ranchers and Native Americans.

[Bob Root · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent historical novel which is hard to put down.

[MARYETTA PAULLUS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story.

I gave 5 stars for several reasons. Clean cut writing, safe for all ages, fascinating tales that could have happened.

[Ju Ephraime]

Gary McCarthy has written a tale of adventure depicting the Mighty Colorado River and the Grand Canyon using daily journal entries, written by the Major and addresses to Miss Holloway. The detailed account of the 1869 Powell Expedition reads more like a non-fiction—vivid and in such great details; it could be used as a guide book. This is a story of river adventurers, brave men and beautiful women, as well as, the Mormon pioneers and the Native tribes of the Navaho, Hopi and Havasupai Indians that they encountered on their way. I was able to experience the unbelievable hardships these three brave men experienced as set out on this journey. Some, with only the memory of family and a good woman to keep them going. Great epic adventure!

[Ju Ephraime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary McCarthy has written a tale of adventure depicting the Mighty Colorado River and the Grand Canyon using daily journal entries, written by the Major and addresses to Miss Holloway. The detailed account of the 1869 Powell Expedition reads more like a non-fiction—vivid and in such great details; it could be used as a guide book. This is a story of river adventurers, brave men and beautiful women, as well as, the Mormon pioneers and the Native tribes of the Navaho, Hopi and Havasupai Indians that they encountered on their way. I was able to experience the unbelievable hardships these three brave men experienced as set out on this journey. Some, with only the memory of family and a good woman to keep them going. Great epic adventure!

[Dianne P. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent!!!

Well crafted, interesting, evenly eventful, wonderful, well rounded characters. Simply a joy to read. I'm headed to Amazon now to get the next book in the series.

[Phyllis]

Very interesting historically, I never knew much about the Grand Canyon before. Hope to see it someday. Also a good read, held my interest.