I didn't manage to listen to the entire book. In fact, it is extremely long. For the book club, we were required to read up to Powell's first expedition down the Green River into what is now The Grand Canyon. I actually read a little further, but except for the first expedition, the book was a bit too dull for me. The book was indeed exciting when the expedition was on the river. The group had so many diverse experiences on the trip, some of which seemed almost unbelievable. It was really quite interesting.

I definitely gained a greater appreciation for the state of Utah. We have such a wide variety of terrains. The area that Powell explored was the last uncharted territory in the US. Our book club discussion was also great. My favorite was the top 10 list that Brad (with a little assistance from me) came up with. It was titled "Top 10 ideas we rejected for this book club."

10. One week before the book club, place a large pile of sand in front of everyone's homes with fans blowing, so you can get accustomed to the sand.

9. Serve three-month-old unrefrigerated bacon and moldy flour for dinner.

8. Build a campfire in the backyard.

7. Put heat lamps above everyone's place at the table so it feels like 110 degrees.

6. Announce on the neighborhood Facebook page that we have gone missing while exploring the new Smith's.

5. Arrange for a number of neighborhood boys to dress up as Shivwits Indians and periodically run through the house, loosing the occasional arrow.

4. Build a collection of live mosquitos and flies for months before the dinner, and release them all right before the guests arrive.

3. Create a topographical map of the neighborhood, including elevation changes down to the nearest foot. Give the map to each guest, noting the best course to return home.

2. Sprinkle sand liberally into the food.

1. Raft the creek!

An awesome book!

This book is nominally a biography of Major John Wesley Powell, one of the more influential men in the exploration and settlement of the western US in the mid-1800's.

However, it doesn't focus too much on dates or other trivial material. Instead, it provides a broad picture of the western and national issues of the day.

Powell gained notoriety by being the first man to explore many of the canyons of Utah and Arizona, including the Grand Canyon.

He then worked his way up through the federal government's burgeoning scientific program by mapping the plateau and canyon countries and studying the native American tribes that lived there.

As he moved up the ladder, he eventually reached a position where he not only developed an economically and environmentally sound policy for settling the western US but almost had the power to implement it.

However, most of his policies were abandoned, leading to an enormous amount of waste and ruin. It was only in the last half century that efforts were made to enact these policies in an attempt to make the area more habitable and agriculturally sound.

Overall, it's a very good book on a very interesting subject.

For those who live in or have a deep affection for the American West, this book is an absolute must-read.

Likewise, for those individuals who have a desire to expand their knowledge and understanding of American history, this book is also a must-read.

Wallace Stegner skillfully combines all the relevant facts to create a vivid and engaging picture of John Wesley Powell and his colleagues, as well as his detractors and supporters. This is set against the backdrop of the political atmosphere of that particular time. It truly is a remarkable tale.

Moreover, Stegner's writing is something that can be relished and savored.

After Powell's exciting trips down the Green and Colorado rivers, he came to the realization that the American West was arid and would not be able to support small farms in the same manner as farming was carried out east of the Mississippi.

He had the intention of surveying the land to determine suitable locations for dams that could distribute water equally among farmers. This led to the formation of the US Geological Survey.

However, he had to contend with "the Gilpin mentality," which was based on the concept of a western utopia and the belief that "rain would follow the plow."

These ideas were supported by land grabbers, many of whom were eager to gain control of the water rights, and they also had their allies in Washington.

Interestingly, there is a great deal to learn about Powell. For example, I was not aware that he was more interested in documenting the Indian tribes of the Southwest rather than simply making maps of the area.

His ethnologists dedicated their efforts to documenting a hundred Indian languages. Additionally, he was a democrat (with a small "d") who believed that if the US sent settlers out west, it should indeed establish systems to support them to prevent them from going bankrupt within a few years.

Nevertheless, his ideas were somewhat ahead of their time, and the flaws in the land laws and management were fully exposed during the dust storms of the 1930s, which is just one of the many negative consequences.

John Wesley Powell's exploration of the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, and Green River is an exceptional story that also highlights his significant role in the opening of the West. The first half of the book vividly describes his famous expedition. With ten men in four boats, they braved the rapids and dangerous waters of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This thrilling adventure is a prime example of how truth can outshine fiction, especially when presented in Stegner's magnificent prose.

The second half of the book delves into his involvement in the opening of the West. Powell played a major role in establishing many policies governing the migration of settlers to the West, which was previously unknown to the reader. This part of the book is not only enlightening but also highly educational, providing valuable insights into a crucial period of American history. Overall, it is a captivating and informative read that offers a unique perspective on exploration and the settlement of the West.