Iowa Underground

by Greg Brick

Take a mysterious and fascinating tour through Iowa's underground treasures. This guide will reveal the state's subterranean attractions including show and wild caves, springs, mining sites and other geological and man-made sites. If you are a sport caver, a scientist, or curious tourist, this guide will give you all you need to know to begin exploring Iowa's underground world.
IN THIS BOOK YOU'LL FIND
• Detailed directions with helpful tips and precautions. • Descriptions of various lead- and coal-mining museums. • Fun stories and legends, including cave fairies, trolls, and ghost towns. • Additional information about Iowa's coal-mining past. • Facts about underground biological life.
“A uniquely written perspective on the underground wonders of Iowa, by a premier Midwest cave historian.” ―Gary K. Soule, Speleo Historian and Trustee, American Spelean History Association

228 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Greg Brick was employed as a hydrogeologist at environmental consulting firms and has taught geology at local colleges. He served on Mayor Randy Kelly's caves commission in 2004. He has published more than 100 articles about caves, is the editor of an international cave journal, and was the recipient of the 2005 National Speleological Society Award in Cave History. His first book, IOWA UNDERGROUND, was published in 2004. His second book, SUBTERRANEAN TWIN CITIES, published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2009, won the 2010 American Institute of Architects Award of Recognition. His third book, MINNESOTA CAVES HISTORY AND LORE, is the first statewide treatment of caves in 50 years, based on 30 years experience. His work has been featured in National Geographic Adventure magazine as well as on the History Channel.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many inaccuracies regarding historical facts and the parks in which the caves are located. Interesting, but I wonder how useful the "facts" I "learned" are, not knowing their veracity. Could use an update.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The state of Iowa is usually associated with endless corn fields, but I was eager to explore some other natural aspects of the state, and I found them in abundance with this guidebook.

Who knew there were so many caves in Iowa? Most of them are concentrated in the northeast corner. And with this guidebook I was able to get to them myself, without a lot of hassle, and some pretty basic equipment. Then there’s the other surprising aspect of Iowa, its rich industrial heritage, but you have to dig around for that. The coal mines that once made Iowa fifth largest producer in the nation are now represented only by coal mine replicas in some of the southern counties. But for me it added a lot of interest to a roadtrip that otherwise would have been spent mostly on the interstates. So that’s lesson one, you have to get onto the backroads!

[Jeremy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoy caving very much, but the writing style employed by the author puts me to sleep. It is hard to enjoy a book when you can't keep your eyes open and are constantly trying to think of things that can be done outside on a rainy day. The information on Iowa caves is solid, but easier to find elsewhere without all the boring side effects and being subject to what I'm sure the author thinks is "humor". At the end of the day, it would still be worth the $1 bargain bin though.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

we looked at this the year that Ethan was on chemotherapy, and never used it much bit I think it holds alot of promise