The Grand Canyon Expedition: The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons

by John Wesley Powell

The geologist and explorer’s own account of his perilous venture into one of the last unmapped portions of the continental United States.Join John Wesley Powell’s expedition to explore one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, and one of the last unmapped portions of the continental United States. Powell’s detailed descriptions of the rocks, plants, and animals seen in the canyon; the geography of the area; his team’s interactions with native groups; and dangers and mishaps along the trail allow readers to feel the thrill, the awe, and the humility of standing on the canyon’s edge.After losing an arm in the Civil War, the young Powell took on an extraordinary challenge as he led a small team into this remarkable landscape. He would go on to become the director of the US Geological Survey and the Smithsonian, and is acknowledged today for his foresight on the importance of conserving natural resources—particularly water—as the nation rapidly expanded westward.“Powell’s ideas powerfully shaped development of the West’s water supply.” —Scientific American “He had entered the Grand Canyon as a pioneer, hoping that it could be exploited and settled, but the experience changed him. He realized that the presence of indigenous peoples, the landscape, water and ecosystems meant that it could not and should not be settled as the Eastern states had been. Now, as the Western states are threatened with a catastrophic water shortage, it is possible that he should be remembered not just as an explorer, but also as a prophet.” —BBC News Magazine

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, History, Classics

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2019

About the author

John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) was a U. S. soldier, geologist, and explorer of the American West. He is famous for the 1869 Powell Geographic Expedition, a three-month river trip down the Green and Colorado rivers that included the first passage through the Grand Canyon. He studied at Illinois College, Wheaton College, and Oberlin College, acquiring a knowledge of Ancient Greek and Latin but never graduating. He was elected to the Illinois Natural History Society in 1859. Due to his deep Protestant beliefs, and his social commitments, his loyalties remained with the Union, and the cause of abolishing slavery. He enlisted in the Union army as a topographer and military engineer. In 1881 he became the second director of the U. S. Geological Survey, a post he held until 1894. He was also the director of the Bureau of Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institution until his death.

Reviews

[David Quijano · Rating 2 out of 5]

In coming down the river this afternoon, I observed the slope of a particular part of the wall and made an estimate of its altitude. While at supper, I noticed the same cliff from a position facing it, and it seemed steeper, but not half so high. Now lying on my side and looking at it, the true proportions appear. This seems a wonder, and I rise to take a view of it standing. It is the same cliff as at supper time. Lying down again, it is the cliff as seen in profile, with a long slope and distant summit. Musing on this, I forget "the morrow and the canyons to come"; I have found a way to estimate the altitude and slope of an inclination, in like manner as I can judge of distance along the horizon. The reason is simple. A reference to the stereoscope will suggest it. The distance between the eyes forms a base line for optimal triangulation.

The above quote is from page 80 of this version of John Wesley Powell's book The Grand Canyon Expedition: The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons. The whole book is like this and it was really tough for me to get through. Powell’s initial expedition of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon took place in 1869. There were no pictures on this expedition, but Powell did his best to describe what he saw in a little under 300 pages.

I want to do a fair review, but I also want to be honest. This book is really dry. Have you ever read a book with too much description and wish the author had spent more time on characters and plot? Well, imagine a book with only description and not characters or plot. That is what this book is like. I am sure there is a really good book about Powell's expedition of the Colorado River. This isn't it. This is a primary source for an academic paper. This is not a good read for a person wanting to learn more about the American Southwest.

As I read this, I couldn't help but want to learn more about the different people involved in the expedition as well as some of the locals Powell turned to for help. Powell cites interactions with Natives and wilderness men who were already familiar with the area he was exploring. The few moments he talks about these people are by far the most interesting parts of this book, but they are rare and brief.

I will give this book two stars. It is great that this book exists from a historical perspective, but I would only recommend this book to a person who is a super nerd on a subject relevant to this book (someone obsessed with geology, exploration, the American Southwest, or old journals) or a person who needs a primary source to write a research paper.

[Gina Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two chapters and the last few were rather boring IMO but the majority of the book, the part that was actually about their journey down the Colorado River taken from his journals was really really interesting. Packed with adventure and peril, it blew my mind the kinds of things they were doing on a daily basis.
I knocked off a star for the beginning and end being boring and another one for his racist comments about Native Americans. In my mind his attitude was much worse than just “a product of his time”.

[Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than just an account of their journey to and through the Grand Canyon, Captain Powell gives us geological descriptions and accounts of his interactions with the native peoples he came in contact with along the way. He waxes eloquently like a poet as he describes the beauty of the Grand Canyon. It was a delightful read.

[Nicholas Trandahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favorite books, this was a riveting firsthand account of John Wesley Powell’s boat expedition down the Colorado River. I was completely enthralled with these day-by-day diary entries of adventure, danger, nature, and majesty. Equally as good to me were the detailed descriptions of the geology of the region and the cultures of the Native American civilizations that inhabited them.

[Levi Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...a concept of sublimity can be obtained never again to be equaled on the hither side of Paradise."

[Maki Iatridis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a story about the first exploration of the Colorado River through the grand canyon and got much more; a story of the region and some of its natives, told by the one-armed explorer. A remarkable story although the book is somewhat disjointed. But reading it while going through the Grand Canyon on a rafting trip was fitting and helped me appreciate the story more.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, this copy is beautiful. I pushed myself to read the whole thing since I did buy it. Powell's writing is not nearly as archaic as one would think when learning of the year this was written. The images invoked are vivid. I want to go to the Grand Canyon.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would give 3.5 if I could. I could have done without the first 4 chapters that ramble on about all the cliffs, buttes, canyons, etc. The main book is great and the book should have ended after the main trip.

[Erin Maxson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing but hard to follow sometimes. It taught me a lot and inspired me to plan a Grand Canyon adventure though!

[Rachel Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super interesting! Very much an info dump as one would expect, but it’s so interesting to read about how the west was at this time.

[Katie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY detailed, but still interesting. I skimmed through it as I read it to my kids after our trip to the grand canyon.

[Caty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me so stinking long to read, but it was worth it! I find it very hard to get through nonfiction, but I'm glad I took the time to read this.