As prior reviews state, the text is well-selected from Powell's journal, and the photographs are superb. But how can the author publish the journal of an explorer without a map keyed to the dates of journal entries? The photographs are superb, but again, not keyed to a map, or even associated with the text. The identifying data for each photo is listed in the front of the book, but is not given on, or near the photograph. A potentially superb book, but, because of these defects and faults, one that is maddening to read.

Okay. First off, I have to confess I bought this book by mistake. I was expecting to get a sort of audio guide to the Grand Canyon, so I was pretty disappointed when this turned out not to be the case.

The audiobook instead turned out to be two short stories: the first is, of course, 'The Grand Canyon', and the other is 'At Grandmother's House' (or something like that). 'The Grand Canyon' was a lot more enjoyable and funnier. It was a narrative about the writer's trip to the eponymous canyon and his self-deprecating humour got quite a few chuckles out of me.

'At Grandmother's House' recounts the author's trips to his grandmother's house in the woods when he was young, and concentrates on two incidents in particular, one involving imaginery bogeymen he was afraid of as a boy, and another involving a real bogeyman (well, actually an escaped criminal) hiding out near the house. Not terribly interesting a listen.

As an audiobook, it was pretty good. The reader has a wonderful gravelly voice, and a good sense of deadpan nuance which worked well, especially with the first story's self-deprecating humour.

So, a pretty average couple of stories, one somewhat better than the other, that were fairly entertaining and reasonably competent, but nothing to write home about. Three stars.

My Personal Rating Scale:
5 stars: Engaging, well-written, highly entertaining or informative, thought provoking, pushes the envelope in one or more ways, a classic.
4 stars: Engaging, well-written, highly entertaining or informative. Book that delivers well in terms of its specific genre or type, but does not do more than that.
3 stars: Competent. Does what it sets out to do competently, either on its own terms on within the genre, but is nothing special. May be clichéd but is still entertaining.
2 stars: Fails to deliver in various respects. Significantly clichéd. Writing is poor or pedestrian. Failed to hold my attention.
1 star: Abysmal. Fails in all respects.

I picked up this book when I was going out to see and hike the Grand Canyon. The book is much more interesting in context, i.e. you've seen and undertand the scale and the environment of the Grand Canyon. The book has a series of short vignettes, arranged roughly chronologically, about explorers, miners and assorted neer do wells that really gave life and reality to my experience hiking and exploring the Canyon. Each of the stories is concisely written and illustrated with period photos in B&W.

I suppose Scott Thybony's Havasu Trail Guide told me most of what I needed to know. However, it was very poorly organized. It read like a term paper that was thrown together the night before it was due. Rather than have clear sections such as history, geology, Native Americans, and the trail itself, Mr. Thybony drifts aimlessly back and forth between topics. After I finally finished the book, I still did not feel like the trail had been completely explained. I had to skim back through the book and piece together his information about the trail.

In short, I do not feel confident about my understanding of the Havasu Canyon Trail after reading Scott Thybony's guide.

The chapters of this publication are intently focused, it seems, on downplaying the role of a greater Chaco community across the San Juan Basin. Intra-valley development is the mantra of this volume. While there is no question that local development is significant an attempt at exploring the mechanics of interaction with neigboring groups, much less with a central canyon, is generally ignored. This creates a one-dimensional approach leading the reader to believe that people living within the basin were culturally confined, locally. The last chapter of this volume, which is authored by Steve Lekson is alone worth the price of the publication. Lekson is allowed to "Think Great" and encourages a broader view of the San Juan Basin, beyond local and regional boundaries.

Tortured lawman and misunderstood heroine meet in this rather sporadic tale of hot passion and mishaps. Ms. Pappano is wonderful with characterization, and her heroine, Hallie, is fun to get to know. Brady is sexy, if a bit less believable due to the melodramatic, soap-opera background he's been dealt (perhaps critics would refrain from making so much fun of romance if the authors stuck with more realistic scenarios...nah, probably not!). His long-lost daughter really steals the show for a while, but adds layers to this entertaining read. It isn't one of Ms. Pappano's best. It seems to wander from hero's tortured past to heroine's insecurity to fantastical action-adventure story to fun family tale (in other words, it did a little of everything but didn't really round-out any of the elements). The resolution to the romantic conflict is very anticlimatic after the dramatic end of the suspense element. Still, it's a good read.

(I am not sure if this is the same book that I actually read; it seems to be a first edition simply entitled, The Lone Ranger, but part of it is set in Wild Horse Valley.)

Fran Striker's 1936 western--based on a character created by George W. Trendle--presents a fast-paced yarn which gallops along with action and sagey adventure. Set during the transition era between Native American sovereignty and How the West was Won, this book offers typical elements such as murder, intrigue, treachery, romance, foiled schemes, clever counterplots and the role of capricious fate.

This story takes place in 1869, as it chronicles some of the challenges faced by the crew from the East, struggling to complete their section of America's famed transcontinental
railroad. Here we meet one Ranger, about whom we never learn how he was separated from his Texas unit or if he wears the distinctive black mask. Aided by his occasional sidekick
and loyal friend, Tonto, this brave and noble cowboy comes across as a Marshall of the plains without a badge. We are with him as he finds and tames the mighty Arabian, Silver. His amazing skills, which include reading lips and speaking the Sioux
tongue fluently, awe both his friends (folks whom he helps) and enemies (those who seek to prey on the innocent). This super horseman unselfishly dedicates his time and talents to rescuing two young people who are victims of a vicious plot against the Union Pacific. Can one man foil the malicious plans of an Eastern tough--determined to wrest the railroad contract away from the likeable and diligent Waltons?

Inevitably the author betrays racist views toward Indians, referring to them as Savages of Brutes--even in front of patient Tonto, who is repeatedly described as a Half Breed. The Irish are subjected to gentle spoofing as well, for their accent and fiery temper.
If you enjoy oaters, then this book is for you, with its evil badguys, twists in the plot and rip-snorting action. But be warned: The Lone Ranger never sticks around to be thanked.

I also recommend this book to teachers; although it is clearly Classic Lite in the literature department, the Western genre is a particularly American one, which fascinates much of the world to this day. This book can also serve as a springboard for discussions of: literary racism, comparison with other American ficitonal heroes; the winning of the West, Westward migration in general, the glory of the railroad era, and Western topography.
Just because a book is not a recognized Classic is no reason to dismiss it from the classroom.

If your child is a horse lover, she is sure to enjoy the lovely illustrations found in this book: wild mustangs galloping through the canyon, Little Pinto being nuzzled by his mother, a fierce encounter between the herd's leader and an intruder stallion. The pictures have more action in them than the plot actually does. There isn't much of a story. What was nice, though, was the glossary of equestrian terms at the back of the book. The author uses "grown-up" words such as "roan" in the story, and the reader can flip to the back to look up the meaning of unfamiliar words. It's a good way for a child to become more educated about basic horse terms. Overall, I'd say this book is a pleasant book with wonderful pictures of the amazing creatures that wild horses are.

I have always been fascinated by Chaco Canyon. I picked this book up one time when I was visiting there. I was looking forward to reading about the roads the Chacoans built.

There are these massive roads that have been cleared away leading to/from Chaco canyon. They connect pueblo to pueblo. They go for miles and miles in straight lines. Although many of these are covered by weeds, these roads can be seen from the air and if you know where to look, they can be seen on the ground. No one is really sure what these roads were for- ceremonial? travel?

This book is very interesting. However, I found it to be very dry reading. It really seemed to be directed towards a college class level rather than someone like myself who just wanted to learn more in laymen terms.

If you can get over the dry reading, this is a great book. It is the only book that I have been able to find regarding the Chaco Canyon roads themselves (although many books mention them.) IF you find a better book regarding these mysterious roads, please drop me a note.

I enjoyed the plot of the book and the excitement of the expedition down the Colorado River. However, it was very long on stereotypical characterizations and situations ... hence the lower rating.