I initially began to read this particular piece. However, as I delved deeper, I soon realized that having already read "A Canyon Voyage" by Frederick Dellenbaugh, this current reading material seemed rather unnecessary.

My preference leans towards reading an in-depth account of the actual actions and adventures that Powell undertook during his expedition. I am far more interested in learning about the specific details of his journey, the challenges he faced, and the discoveries he made.

Rather than focusing on the preparations for the expedition and the political aspects that surrounded it, I渴望 a more vivid and engaging narrative that brings to life the essence of Powell's exploration.

I believe that such a detailed account would provide me with a greater understanding and appreciation of the significance of his achievements.

The first part of this book was truly terrific.

It presented a very exciting and wonderfully written account about Major Powell and his adventurous and unprepared crew as they endeavored to navigate the Colorado River for the very first time.

The trip was hair-raising, to say the least. The descriptions were so vivid and detailed that it felt as if you were right there with them, experiencing every twist and turn, every rapids and danger.

However, the second part of the book was a different story. It was the account of Powell as a civil servant of some kind, attempting to secure support from various government agencies and institutions to fund his other ambitions.

Unfortunately, it was overly filled with names, figures, and dates, which made it rather dry and difficult for me to stay engaged. In fact, it became so tedious that I didn't really have the motivation to finish it.

Overall, while the first part was a thrilling read, the second part left much to be desired.

First off, this book was truly extremely funny. It had a tone that was so engaging and light-hearted that one could not help but be entertained from start to finish. In fact, it made me think that all biographies should strive to be written with this kind of tone.

Second, Stegner's talent for character descriptions was truly remarkable. His words painted such a vivid picture that I felt as if I had a crystal clear understanding of each person. For example, when he described a man as “a caricaturist’s dream, a patriot’s nightmare”, it was not only extremely vivid but also quite memorable.

Third, the careful and detailed layout of Powell’s life and accomplishments was very well done and clear. I happened to read this book in preparation for a trip out west to visit many of the same sights that Powell and his crew had explored. It was truly thrilling to imagine and see in my mind's eye where they were operating from.

This book was written way back in 1953. I can only begin to imagine the perspective that an update from 2022 would have. I'm quite sure that JWP (whoever that may be) would completely lose his mind over Google Earth and all the modern technological advancements that have occurred since then. It's fascinating to think about how much has changed and how our understanding of Powell's adventures could be enhanced with a more contemporary look.

I read one-third of this book.

I'm aware that I'm in the minority, but I simply don't like Wallace Stegnar's writing style.

This is the second book of his that I've read (or rather, attempted to read).

I'm really annoyed because there are certain parts of the story that I'm extremely eager to hear about, yet there are a whole lot of descriptions that I could easily do without.

He seems to have described them a thousand times already!

I have a penchant for readable history, but unfortunately, Wallace Stegnar doesn't write in a way that makes history easily accessible and enjoyable.

His writing style just doesn't click with me, and it makes it a struggle to get through his books.

I keep hoping that maybe the next book of his will be different, but so far, that hasn't been the case.

Maybe I'm just not the right audience for his work.

Classic Stegner, at times thrilling, at times a sleepy academic.

The first third of the book relates the compelling first voyage into the unknown of the Colorado River and the first complete encounter of the Grand Canyon. It is truly a captivating account that takes the reader on an adventure.

The remainder of the book, however, is a soporific examination of Powell's impressive academic and bureaucratic achievements. While these aspects are important, they lack the excitement of the earlier sections.

Recommended for history buffs, Stegner holds Powell up as an example of an ideal American man - rugged, scientific, and sensitive. The examples of the last quality stemming from Powell's unique attempts to recognize and study Native American cultures.

However, while Powell might have been more enlightened than his peers, the modern reader is likely to feel less admiration for him than Stegner. This is because Powell's energies were spent in studying the indigenous peoples rather than helping them survive or fend off the brutalities being visited upon them by the American government.

Nevertheless, Powell comes across as an interesting and understudied subject, worthy of further exploration and understanding.

A Ponderous Study of John Wesley Powell

John Wesley Powell's life is the subject of a rather ponderous study. His exploratory river trip down the Colorado and through the Grand Canyon was truly the highlight of this biography. It was an adventure that captured the imagination and showed Powell's courage and determination. However, unfortunately, things take a downhill turn from there.

The book delves into the minutiae of the politics involved in Powell's subsequent battles in Washington, D.C. He fought to gain power, position, and the necessary funding to continue his exploration and mapping of the west. These political details can be quite dense and make for a tiresome read at times.

I have loved most everything I've read by Wallace Stegner, but this particular work stands out as being overly dense and lacking the usual charm and engaging narrative that his other books possess. It's a shame, as Powell's story has so much potential, but the way it is presented here makes it a bit of a slog to get through.

This is an incredibly riveting book that delves into John Wesley Powell's remarkable exploration of the Colorado River and his subsequent efforts to draw the attention of lawmakers in Congress to the unique terrain and water resources available in the arid west.

I was aware that Powell had explored the Grand Canyon and that Lake Powell was named in his honor. However, before reading this book in preparation for our trip to the Southwest, my knowledge of him was rather limited.

I had no idea that Powell was the founder of the US Geological Survey, passionately urging his country to create accurate maps of the west. He also contended that the arid climate of the region made the development envisioned under the Homestead Act impractical, contrary to the aspirations of many senators and bureaucrats.

Additionally, Powell was the founding director of the Ethnography Dept and an expert on Native Americans.

The author, Stegner, is truly amazing. Published in 1954, this book has remained in print for a reason. Stegner's writing is filled with irony and wit, and his profound passion for the West and its arid, yet beautiful, landscapes is palpable on every page. He critiques those who support the homesteading movement and provides interesting and prescient descriptions of Powell's disagreements with those promoting false science.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It comes highly recommended!

This biography of John Wesley Powell presents a vivid account of the life of a remarkable individual who was completely committed to his vision of the potential that the West held.

Despite having lost an arm due to his military service, Powell fearlessly ventured into the rapids and canyons of the Colorado River. He navigated the narrow waterways, climbed the sheer canyon walls, meticulously recording and measuring everything he encountered. His dedication to mapping and describing the region was unwavering, as he aimed to leave a detailed record for future generations.

While others were envisioning a future filled with homesteads in the West, Powell recognized the significance of the region's aridity. He understood that the key to progress lay in harnessing the scarce water resources for the common good. Undeterred by the doubts of the government, he firmly adhered to his beliefs, and many of his ideas have been realized in the dams and reservoirs that dot the West today.

Author Wallace Stegner's long book takes readers on some of the惊心动魄 trips down the river, providing a thrilling and immersive experience. He also delves into the bickering and short-sightedness that often characterized the government's approach. However, the book also introduces us to those who supported Powell, adding depth and balance to the narrative. Overall, the scope of the book does justice to a man who played a crucial role in the history of his time.

I recently read two strikingly similar books back-to-back. One was this particular work, and the other was John F. Ross's The Promise of the Grand Canyon. I did this in conjunction with a week-long vacation at Lake Powell. I found myself having a preference for Wallace Stegner's prose, which led me to his 1954 book on John Wesley Powell.

Unfortunately, since I listened to the audio version, I couldn't quite grip and hold onto the phrases and word sequences that really tickled my fancy. They simply evaporated from my memory as quickly as they came.

The first half of the book is a captivating adventure story that details the expeditions down the Green and Colorado Rivers through the magnificent Grand Canyon. It's filled with thrilling accounts and vivid descriptions that bring the journey to life.

The second half, on the other hand, covers Powell's extensive contributions to topographical mapping of the west. It also delves into his arduous struggles to make the eastern legislators understand the fundamental differences between settling an arid land like the west and settling the more fertile midwestern regions. However, political conflict, alas, doesn't always make for the most absorbing reading.

Overall, despite the drawbacks, the book offers a valuable insight into the life and work of John Wesley Powell and the historical context in which he operated.

The story line is truly excellent, especially in the part of the beginning trip on the Colorado River and beyond. It is an adventure for all time, as these individuals were the first to be challenged by this part of the west.

However, it unfortunately gets bogged down in the politics of the time, and I ended up skipping a significant portion of that part of the book. But I absolutely loved the adventure of these 9 men who spent 2 months on the river in the late 1800's. They faced challenging rapids with their unwieldy boats and equipment, which made for a thrilling read.

If you decide to read this book, you might also want to get a copy of "It Must be....A Grand Canyon Trip". This was published as a journal of 10 men, 3 rafts, and lots of 21st century equipment undertaking the same trip in 2010. One man, the author Scott Barnes, kept a journal with painted pictures of the trip and the changing colors of the canyon walls. It provides a beautiful rendition of this magnificent place.

I read the initial 150 pages of this book and ultimately decided to call it quits.

While I can clearly see that it is well-written and the pacing is excellent, unfortunately, I simply don't have a genuine interest in the subject matter.

The first section of the first chapter is indeed quite gripping. In it, the Honourable William Gilpin delivers a speech to the Union regarding the opening of the West. He describes it as a fertile land, homogeneous and temperate, just waiting to be farmed. However, we later discover that this assessment is pure fantasy. Due to the less pleasant truth, it took decades for the government to act on the opposition advice of one John Powell.

The book appears to be divided into two broad sections. The first offers a detailed biography of Powell and his journey out West. This includes scaling peaks in and around the Green River and rafting along it to collect specimens and fill in the map. The second section focuses on his efforts in Congress to draft policies for the successful settlement of the West. Regrettably, I didn't reach the second section.

The most interesting parts of the first section were the accounts of his crew. Even as they lived the frontier dream of exploring uncharted lands, they were constantly complaining about the food or each other. And there were numerous characters who tried to profit from the expedition without doing any actual work at all! It's somewhat reassuring to see that these unappealing characteristics have persisted across generations.

However, unless you already have a deep interest in the time period, there isn't a great deal here to engage you. Stegner is constructing a detailed profile of a specific person and his impact on the political climate of the time, but it really needs to be read in conjunction with a broader interest. Since I don't have such an interest, it simply didn't work for me.

So why did I read it at all? Well, when I purchased it over 10 years ago, I thought it was about the settling of California. I had just moved to the state and clearly hadn't learned to check more than the back of the book. I also expected it to have more naturalism than it actually does.

Basically, this is a case of it's not the book's fault - it's mine.

I would recommend this book if you're into American history, especially if you're familiar with the Yampa, or the White or Green river areas.

I DNF'd (Did Not Finish) this book and it's off to the library for me.

On page 104 and so far it has been a very slow start.

A month has passed, and yet I've only managed to pick at this book. The non-chronological approach that Stegner employs in this work presents a significant issue. It lacks any sense of forward momentum or driving energy.

I reached a point where, after turning the page for the second time, I found myself simply wondering when it would all be over. I didn't truly care if it ended now or never. And now, I've made my decision. There's no justifiable reason to persevere with a book that fails to engage or satisfy you.

Life is too short to waste on reading material that doesn't capture your interest. It's better to move on and explore other literary works that have the potential to offer a more fulfilling and enjoyable reading experience.

This particular book, unfortunately, has not lived up to my expectations, and it's time to part ways with it.