The Last River: John Wesley Powell and the Colorado River Exploring Expedition

by Stuart Waldman, Gregory Manchess (Illustrator)

The one-armed professor who conquered the mighty Colorado. No European had ever taken boats down the Colorado river and come out alive. In May 1869, ten men boarded four rowboats in Green River City, Wyoming. Three months and 1,000 miles later, just two battered boats carrying six exhausted and starving men emerged from the depths of the Grand Canyon. The Last River tells their remarkable story. The man who challenged the Colorado was different from other explorers. Major John Wesley Powell was a small, bookish, one-armed geology professor from a midwestern farm. Despite his size and the constant pain from the Civil War wound that had cost him his arm, Powell's twin passions -- adventure and scientific exploration -- drew him to the Colorado River. For three months he and nine crew members made their home on the river. They thrilled to riding the rapids and endured the back-breaking labor of transporting boats and cargo past rapids too dangerous to run. They discovered canyons of unsurpassed beauty and gave them names like Music Temple and Canyon of Lodore. They saved each other from drowning, and suffered together as their food supply dwindled to nearly nothing. Excerpts from journals of crew members personalize the gripping text. Original paintings and a fold-out map allows the reader to simultaneously follow the expedition's route and its adventures. The Last River is an inspiring and riveting true adventure written with drama and compassion that brings history to life.

Genres: Geography, Nonfiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Stuart Waldman is a writer and editor. His Great Explorers book We Asked for Nothing: The Remarkable Journey of Cabeza de Vaca won a Notable Children's Book Award from the International Reading Association. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this children's book because I wished to see more artwork of Gregory Manchess, and it did not disappoint! I am familiar with Manchess from his "painted novel" Above the Timberline that I had really enjoyed. In this story, the author Stuart Waldman guides you through the 1869 expedition of geology professor John Wesley Powell and his hardy crew of adventurers as they explored the uncharted wilds of the Colorado River through Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. The wild rapids were a test for them all, made more difficult because of ruined supplies, the wrong kind of boats and Powell's difficult temperament. That no one died on the river is amazing, although what happened to three crew members at the very tail-end of the journey broke my heart.

The artwork is exquisite. Manchess is known for his art in many prestigious magazines and the beauty of his work can not be understated. He vividly recreates the landscapes of the Colorado River region with precision. The pullout map at the beginning of the book that enables you to follow the journey was brilliant and appreciated!

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held my boys' attention despite its length. I liked that it talked about everything, the good and bad about Powell, surgery conditions during the Civil War, how his brother had PTSD from being a POW in the South, and how fighting happened amongst the crew. Basically, it didn't dumb down or sugar coat things for kids, which is pretty rare in a picture book. It captured the adventure and excitement too, although it helped that my kids have canoed/kayaked at Green River WY, and down past Flaming Gorge and spent a lot of time in Southern Utah, so they were thrilled they had been where the book was talking about. I think it helped them realize how truly impressive the trip Powell made was as well. The pictures were great too, I loved the paintings.

[Manypagesago]

re-read during the exploration of the west 1860's