I own three different revisions of this book. All are very useful for amateur rock hounds. My sons and I have visited about a dozen of the listed sites and all have produced nice specimens.

Some of the information regarding the names and condition of roads leading to the ghost towns is out of date, hence a check on current conditions is advised before traveling to these sites. However the background info and personal experiences of the author make interesting reading

This thick volume, with a host of diagrams and pictures, appears to be the newest and most thorough discussion of the geology of the Grand Canyon. In a series of chapters, each representing an era in the geologic history of the Canyon, the authors begin with the big picture and then get into such detail that only a professional geologist can really stay with them. The book represents the life work of some of the most prominent scientists associated with the Canyon, and yet is very much up to date with the latest theories unlocking the mystery of how the Canyon was formed. Neither professional nor "rock hound," I was drawn to geology through my hiking adventures in the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau. This book, though certainly not written for the amateur, has provided an opportunity to learn more. I feel fortunate to have a copy, and hopeful that a second edition will be available soon.

The evocative, stunning illustrations and text certainly accomplish their purpose. Young readers will glimpse the majesty of the Grand Canyon and learn something about its past and present inhabitants. But I must confess, my children don't particularly favor books that describe natural scenery in straightforward detail as in "A ringtail cat drinks from a slower side stream", etc, etc.

This book is a short visual study of a variety of different canyon moods professional photographers have experienced and recorded. It includes the usual viewpoints from the rim in different seasons and lighting as well as the surprising world of the canyon floor. It is arranged in four sections covering the South Rim, Below the Rim, The River, and North Rim. Each section is introduced by a short piece of poetric prose which hints at both the reflections and intent of the authors as they organized the collection as well as the themes which follow. The book is introduced by a brief collection of quotes which attempt to grasp various aspects of a Grand Canyon experience and put into words some of the emotion the sheer beauty of the canyon creates. The emphasis of the pictures is predominanty one of raw form and texture in the canyon rock, complemented by more subtle beauty in the plant life and water. To me, the most obvious theme is one of stark contrast, either between the rock and fine detail or the rim and interesting weather or lighting in the sky. Several pictures include sheer canyon walls broken by a much more delicate subject, leaving a satisfying mixture of conflicting emotion and impression. Others emphasize vast spaces in wide angle views attempting to convey the awesome physical dimensions of the canyon. The book concludes with a few pages of general notes on the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau.

I am not sure that the notes are relevent to the subject of the book, but then again the book is marketed towards gift shops and vistor centers. The ideas conveyed by the authors are pretty standard (I assume) for books published by the Sierra Press. The general theme is nature worship, but if that is not your style it does not detract from the overal impact of the visual presentation.

I do not have anything specific to compare this book with as it is my only photographic book on the Grand Canyon. That is why I gave it four stars. I enjoy the book for its beauty, but find the outdoor photography composition and technique just as stimulating. I would recommend the book to any outdoor enthusiast who also enjoys fine photography.

The book is about 8X8 inches and is ideally suited as a unique coffee table book for any fan of natural beauty. The average picture size is about 5X7 inches. I own the softcover edition but would rather own the hardcover as mine has not handled standard wear very well.

The book is an excellent source of information about Arizona, particularly for newcomers to the state.

Written in easy to understand language, this book is both interesting and informative. It provides generalized maps of geologic highlights along the trail, black & white pictures, and drawings which all tie into the informative text sections. Spiral bound with vinyl cover for rough handling during the hike. Highly recommended!

This slender book is very deceiving and I was a bit disapppointed when it first arrived. But after I got into the details, I was very pleased. This book has a wealth of information to help you plan your trip to the Grand Canyon area, with information on everything from climate to lodging to side trips to canyon excursions. This book helped us choose a wonderful-looking cabin right on the rim of the canyon and I am looking very much forward to our trip this fall.

This is a nice collection of 70 hikes in the central arizona area, for Sedona, Prescott, the Bradshaw mountains, Sierra Prieta, Juniper Mesa, Mingus Mountain, and Grantite Mountain areas. The presentation is simple and direct. Each hike has a road-to-trailhead map and description as well as a trail map and trail description. Each also has an interesting altitude profile diagram. B&W photos are included for many hikes. Also includes latitude and longitude for tailheads so you can feed it into a GPS. If you are planning some hiking time in the Prescott, Verde Valley, or Sedona area, this is a good book to have.

M.A. Armen, a Hollywood screenwriter, has written a very good Western. Glint McClain returns to Arizona after fighting in the Union army. Young gunfighter, Hal Peters, shoots McClain and leaves him for dead. Father Miguel, a priest, finds McClain and nurses him back to health. To repay the debt, McClain agrees to help Miguel free the Indians of his parish from being enslaved by Bart Lathrop to work in the gold mine. There is mystery here, as well. Why do the Indians refer to Father Miguel as Father Diablo? Very entertaining and a quick read.