The River Is Mine

by Ardian Gill

Ardian Gill's novel tells the story of John Wesley Powell's 1869 exploration of the Green and Colorado Rivers and the Grand Canyon. It is the adventure of ten men shooting rapids and painstakingly carrying and lining heavy wooden boats through cascades, cataracts and waterfalls. The action is breathtaking and invigorating, the story straight forward and clearly told. Written as a fictional expansion of the actual diary of one member of the expedition, the action is always front and center, but enriched by the interplay among the men, who include journalists, farmers, trappers, and Civil War veterans. Most intriguing, perhaps, is the narrator's changing view of the head of the expedition ? the brilliant, narrow-visioned, intrepid, one-armed Major Powell. Read this novel for the adventure, for the character studies, and for the satisfaction of how ordinary men can uplift us by their determination and physical courage. ?Superbly crafted, vividly told?powerfully presented and emotionally involving.?

301 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating with believable dialogue and an interesting time period.

[Ardian Gill]

Well, I wrote it. What I learned from the research was the clash of egos that led to the demise of three members. Plus a great deal about the Colorado River and its canyons, geology etc. I also learned the origin of a boat name that no other researcher had discovered.