This book is an essential read for those who, like me, have a deep affinity for the American West. It is masterfully written, as one would expect from Stegner.

It contains crucial reminders about the importance of water in the West, especially as it is becoming increasingly scarce. The author also presents a convincing argument that this "second opening" of the West demanded collective action on an unprecedented scale in the United States. One could even say "socialism" if one wanted to be provocative.

These are the large federal water projects that were essential for the settlement of the West in the way that actually occurred. Without them, our ability to colonize the West would have been severely limited.

In conclusion, this is a truly lovely book that offers valuable insights into the history and future of the American West. It is a must-read for anyone interested in this fascinating region.

I have a deep affection for the way Wallace Stegner constructs a sentence. His portrayal makes the exploration of the west seem almost romantic. John Wesley Powell, without a doubt, was an unforgettable individual of remarkable character and intelligence.

Although he was self-educated, he never ceased learning and putting that knowledge into practice.

The political drama presented was extremely interesting, especially when considered in the context of the current political divisions and the application of science today. Powell desired to preserve the west, while others aimed to exploit its natural resources. Sadly, we still have to deal with those self-centered individuals. It seems he even foresaw climate change. Oh, how disheartened he would be to witness the state of our politics today, which is truly disgraceful.

My hope lies in the possibility that there is another John Wesley Powell somewhere, ready and willing to engage in the noble struggle.

This is a very good read on the issues of the American West, and on Powell.

It provides in-depth insights into the various aspects and challenges that the American West has faced over the years.

The discussion on Powell is particularly interesting as it delves into his ideas, contributions, and the impact he had on the understanding and development of the region.

Readers will gain a better understanding of the complex history, geography, and social dynamics of the American West through this engaging piece.

Whether you are a history buff, a student of American studies, or simply interested in learning more about this fascinating region, this article is well worth your time.

It offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the issues that have shaped the American West and the role that Powell played in its story.

Overall, it is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to expand their knowledge and appreciation of this important part of American history.

I grew up in an environment where I had the opportunity to explore numerous natural places. These were the very places that Powell discovered and Stegner described so exquisitely in this book. Naturally, I was extremely excited to delve deeper into the life of Powell and the exploration of the west.

Stegner's writing had a profound impact on me. His ability to bring his fiction writing skills into an autobiography truly made this book a one-of-a-kind read for me. The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative made it easy for me to envision the events and landscapes.

However, as I reached the midpoint of the book, I began to sense that there was an abundance of unnecessary detail. The descriptions of Powell's detractors and the bureaucracy of the time, while initially interesting for understanding the cultural context, started to feel burdensome as I progressed further. The book seemed to get bogged down in these details, which made the reading experience somewhat monotonous.

Despite this, I would still recommend this book. The technical prose is excellent, the subject matter is captivating, and it is evident that Stegner put in a great deal of research to accurately capture Powell's life. Nevertheless, due to the monotonous reading, I unfortunately did not manage to finish the final two-thirds of the book.

It was an extremely informational piece. The beginning, which detailed his expeditions through the Grand Canyon and the Plateau Province, was truly captivating to read. This is especially true if one is familiar with the region and can attempt to decipher the routes they took during their traverse of the Plateau Province. I had a map of Utah beside me while reading it, which provided me with an even deeper understanding.

Towards the end, the book centers on Powell's influence on the Washington DC Legislature and his feuds with the non-supporters of his plans for the west. Although that part was more monotonous to read, it was still essential in constructing a timeline of his influence and crucial for understanding how powerful he became.

J W Powell was an incredibly cool individual who was highly forward-thinking for his era. His expeditions and ideas had a significant impact on the understanding and development of the western region. His story is one that is worth exploring and learning from.

This book truly opened my eyes and made me realize that there is far more to Powell than I had initially understood.

Beyond his remarkable exploits on the Colorado River, he was a genuine public servant who had to engage in battles with short-sighted politicians and even the very farmers he was striving to assist.

The majority of people envisioned a utopian west, with the entire expanse of land being productive and subservient to man's will. However, Powell, through science and his geological survey, grasped the harsh reality of water scarcity and valiantly fought to prevent the monopolization of water sources.

He firmly believed that it would be a criminal act to permit homesteaders to establish themselves in areas where water availability could not be ensured, as he wanted to spare them from the heartbreak that would inevitably follow.

Most other politicians, on the other hand, regarded it as the government overstepping its boundaries and restricting freedom.

Undoubtedly, this was an enlightening read. I was deeply impressed by Powell's modest character and his matter-of-fact, dignified approach to presenting information to Congress.

It was truly a remarkable account that provided valuable insights into a crucial period in history.

Beyond the 100th Meridian: John Wesley Powell

I was driving around Long Island and needed something to listen to. So, I came across the audio CD “Beyond the 100th Meridian: John Wesley Powell and the Second Opening of the West” by Wallace Stegner, read by Mark Bramhall. Bramhall did a bit better than Stegner, but not by a large margin.

Both were rather dry presenters. Stegner wrote as if the US Government had commissioned him, and Bramhall narrated it as instructed. But why did I read this dry history? There are two reasons. First, I wanted to see if John Wesley Powell was related to my Great Great Great Great Grandfather, Charles Powell (yes, really), but I couldn't establish that connection. Second, knowing he was an ethnographer and an explorer, I wanted to hear what he had to say about the Indians of the West. However, I didn't hear nearly as much as I hoped. This is Stegner's fault, not Powell's, as Powell did a lot of work on the American Indian, but Stegner just didn't seem that interested.
Stegner seemed to enjoy depicting the beauty of the mountains and canyons that Powell and his fellow explorers saw while braving the rapids of the Colorado and other rivers. That's fine if you're into wetsuits and keeping matches dry, but I really wanted to hear about the Indians, not all this Boy Scout stuff and macho men on rafts. Stegner spent far too much time explaining how bureaux and departments were set up within the Government, how Powell dealt with his river crews, and how unfair his detractors and critics were.
There's no doubt that Powell was a superb amateur but dedicated scientist, like Teddy Roosevelt, receiving honorary degrees from prestigious American universities and publishing important landmark papers on many subjects. There's also no doubt that he was a brave and determined patriot who believed the West needed to be developed properly through scientific farming and irrigation. If Stegner had had the talent, he could have turned all his research into a great American novel about how the West was really won and how Powell's wife, who endured the same hardships as her husband and, as far as I know, remained faithful to him throughout, was an important part of the story. The conflicts with fellow explorers could have been dramatized and might have led to more exciting stories from this thrilling chapter in American history.

John Wesley Powell was truly the Neil Armstrong of the 19th century.

He was not only a civil war hero but also made history as the first person to undertake the arduous journey along the Colorado River through the grand and awe-inspiring Groans Canyon.

This account of his life and times is truly excellent and comes highly recommended.

Moreover, Powell was generally discontented with the government's policies regarding land conservation and Indian affairs.

He took matters into his own hands and founded the Cosmos Club. His aim was to introduce intellectual stimulation and civility to Washington DC during a time when these qualities were severely lacking.

The Cosmos Club became a haven for like-minded individuals who shared Powell's vision and passion for progress and enlightenment.

Overall, John Wesley Powell's contributions to exploration, conservation, and intellectual life are truly remarkable and continue to inspire generations to come.

Librarians are truly remarkable individuals. Among all the librarians I have encountered, I have yet to find a single one who is surly or unhelpful. In fact, I firmly believe that librarians will inherit the earth. They are the keepers of knowledge, always ready to assist and guide those in search of information.

Take Powell, for example. He was an ex-officer, yet the habit of command did not overshadow his eagerness to learn. He was one of the few who were ready to respect the rights and habits of the Indians. From that winter on, in all his work in the West, he never carried arms and never faced any trouble. This was quite remarkable considering the years and regions where other scientific expeditions would not dare to venture outdoors without a military escort.

However, it is important to note that the individual who can modify or correct beliefs molded by personal interest or the influences of his upbringing is a rare find. It is easy to look back and be wise, but it is uncommonly difficult to do so in the moment. This highlights the importance of self-reflection and an open mind.

Knowledge of knowledge, method of method, perception of perception - these are the elements of a philosophy of mind. In Shaw's Man and Superman, Dona Ana's father asks Don Juan why he engages in all that thinking. Why not just relax and enjoy oneself? But Don Juan replies that without the mind, one only enjoys oneself on a superficial level. One does not truly know the fun one is having.

I initially purchased a modern reprint of this classic. However, to my great disappointment, the illustrations and printing were of such poor quality that I decided to search for a copy of the original 1954 edition and ended up buying it. Oh, what a remarkable difference it made!

The book contains a magnificent fold-out reproduction of William Holmes' drawing of the Grand Canyon as seen from Point Sublime. This drawing was first published in 1882, at a time when drawings had an edge over photography.

Stegner's book can actually be regarded as two books in one. The first part is an extraordinary account of Powell's explorations, which reached their climax with his journey down the Green and Colorado rivers and through the Grand Canyon. The second part, on the other hand, is a rather complex and overly detailed description of Powell's attempts to convince the U.S. Congress to embrace his views on western settlement in the years following the Civil War.

Stegner regarded Powell as a visionary. His approach to the development of the arid west was firmly based on study and science. His opponents in Congress, however, favored a more unrestricted and private approach. In the short term, Powell lost this battle. But after his death, when the dire circumstances of the 1930s compelled the adoption of a stronger governmental role, he was ultimately vindicated.

I got really tired of this book and decided to return it to the library before I could even finish it.

I had initially thought that the subject matter seemed quite interesting, and perhaps it would have been more engaging in a different context or setting.

However, even during the parts that were supposed to be exciting, I just couldn't seem to get much more than a rather unenthusiastic 'meh' reaction from myself towards this author's work.

It felt as though the writing failed to truly capture my attention and draw me into the story in a meaningful way.

Maybe it was the author's style or the way the plot was developed, but whatever the reason, this particular book just didn't do it for me.

I'll have to look for something else that might be more to my liking and that can truly hold my interest from start to finish.

My very first encounter with a Wallace Stegner book has been an absolute delight, and I would highly recommend him as an author without hesitation.

This particular book offers an outstanding portrayal and a comprehensive history of John Wesley Powell. It delves deep into the annals of western exploration, providing a wealth of fascinating details. As a Utahn myself, it was especially interesting to learn more about this aspect of our region's history.

If you have a passion for history and a keen interest in the subject of western water, then you are bound to love this book. It not only educates but also engages the reader, taking them on a journey through time and space.

Wallace Stegner's writing is masterful, bringing the characters and events to life in a vivid and engaging manner. I can't wait to explore more of his works and continue to be enlightened by his storytelling.