Niagara Falls: An Intimate Portrait

by John Grant, Ray Jones, Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

Once a place sacred to the Iroquois, Niagara Falls has been exploited by profiteers, protected by preservationists, harnessed for mechanical power, and reincarnated into the honeymoon capital of the world. Niagara Falls: An Intimate Portrait, the companion to the PBS television program, celebrates the history of the falls and examines human progress - and human folly - on a grand scale. Fifteen million people are lured to Niagara each year by the sheer power and majesty of the water. You'll meet some of them: Maid of the Mist captains, wedding chapel ministers, honeymooners of all nationalities, light-show engineers, and thrill seeking daredevils. You'll also learn about the early explorers; the warriors who fought bloody battles for control of the falls; the first bridge builders and hydroelectric engineers; and the movie stars and tightrope walkers who attracted an awestruck public.
Through color photographs and archival images, interviews  with people who work at the falls, and a detailed chronology of events, this book weaves together the contemporary and the historical to create an unforgettable, intimate portrait of Niagara Falls - a place entirely beyond the ordinary. 

153 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Grant is the executive producer of the "Window to the Sea" television program seen on PBS. His company, Driftwood Productions, produces travel and history programs for public and cable television, including "Legendary Lighthouses" and "West Point: The First 200 Years," This is his fifth book. He lives in State College, Pennsylvania.
Ray Jones is the author or coauthor of numerous books on travel and history, including the bestselling companion to the PBS series "Legendary Lighthouses." He was formerly a writing coach at "Southern Living" magazine and founding editor of "Albuquerque Living "magazine. He lives in Pebble Beach, California.

Reviews

[Sandybear76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This colorful book tells of tales about Native Americans and captains of the Maid of the Mist ships. It describes the crazy acts by barrel riders and high wire walkers. It details the great inventions and business deals that revolved around the need for electrical power, using the Falls' water power.

[Paxxy]

A recent trip to Niagara Falls inspired me to pick up this book--a companion to a PBS doc. It's touches the history all over, but nothing too deeply. I've learned that the tackiness infected NF almost immediately, and will most likely never leave...

[Cheryl]

This is on my to-read list, in preparation for a visit later this month!