I've long been fascinated with early exploration of the Colorado plateau area of the U.S. This book is fascinating particularly because the author wove together information from many sources rather than rely on just a single journal. By comparing what different men wrote about the same events on the same day, you feel like you've gotten a realistic view of what happened, toning down on Powell's indefatigable optimism and some of his companion's discovery of dire consequences behind every rock.

The one annoying part is that there are a few too many long deviations from the story to explore other threads. I think these were intended to provide background, especially to Powell's character. But too many times they just went on too long, into too much detail, particularly Powell's Civil War experiences. I certainly didn't expect to read quite so much about blood and gore in a story about Grand Canyon exploration during which no one died on the river or even seriously injured.

Nevertheless, this is a very good, can't-put-it-down read.

If you enjoy adventure and American history you are in for a treat. My knowledge of John Wesley Powell and his cohorts 1869 trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon was nonexistent so anything I read was new to me. In addition to literally riding the rapids with Powell's group through their three months trip we are also given a history lesson on Powell and the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War in which a number of interesting facts are given to illustrate the horror of the Civil War. Powell was extremely interested in geology and he was thrilled with what he was experiencing on the trip through the Grand Canyon and oblivious to the fact that his mates were experiencing frustration at his leisure pace while starvation loomed due to inadequate provisions. One individual of the ten men crew left the group after the first narrow escape and three others left only one day before exiting the canyon and were eventually murdered under mysterious circumstances. Powell made a second trip a few years later but aborted the trip when halfway through the canyon. What became of the remaining six members of the ten man group who made the 1869 trip is also provided in addition to interesting facts about the Grand Canyon that will most likely be new to you. You shouldn't hesitate to give this book a try. I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

(...) There was a cast of ten which made up the Colorado River Exploring Expedition . Led by John Wesley Powell. None of them had ‘white water' experience. Many were barely 20 and 7 were Union Army veterans. There was no record of persons having gone down the thousand miles of this journey so they were floating blind. It lasted 111 days.

They were to use wooden boats made in Chicago Illinois. They would put in at Green River Station, Wyoming at the point where the recently completed transcontinental railroad had been celebrated. It was chosen because the [4] boats could easily be delivered by rail freight to Green River Station from Chicago. (...) This is a history and Edward Dolnick has done his best to use the notes and writings of Powell, Summer, Bradley and other of the expedition. Powell's book was written some years later but the crew wrote more personal and soon after the trip. They reveal some pain and misery that Powell in his enthusiasm for the mission - geology exploration of the earth including flora and fawna - avoids.

Dolnick has also told the tales of others who ventured on the Colorado River and who were reported in the press of that day. But, none had done what this mission did; namely go the distance without any real briefing and not any knowledge of these tales. On the river they were out of touch with all - alone. A person of ill repute reported after the first month that the party had been destroyed by the river and only he had survived. He was widely published in the press including his tale of how he got on the expedition. But, like story tellers he had dates wrong and Emma Powell, John Wesley's young wife read the stuff and informed the press that he couldn't be believed. They did more research and began retracting the articles. The good effect of this was that the Expedition got more press than they had had before they left. Of course the voyagers did not learn of this until many months later.

Dolnick has a couple of chapters about Powell's military service as an artillery officer in the Grants army at Shiloh. Here Powell lost an arm which comes in for some interesting comments during the voyage down the rivers. Emma is a heroic and fascinating wife of great personal support to Powell. One of the boats is named after her; Emma Dean.

Dolnick seeks to tell it as it went along, not to sum things in advance. So there is an air of adventure - what will happen next?
Sumner was of great value to Powell and all the men seem to have followed the decisions - there Army training is reference as an aid in this respect. But, some of the trappers didn't cotton to the order giving; still they did their part.

There is detail about the boats and equipment - built in Chicago - the best for the lakes - but not properly designed for the river. But sturdy. Still they lose one to the rapid while still in the three hundred mile stretch of the Green River. And, 1/3rd of the food and other supplies went down with that crash.

Powell is the focal person. He had the crazy idea and he had the energy to make it happen with little money and little backing and many persons of repute advising against the venture. It is a crazy thing to do given the level of experience and knowledge that was the foundation of this expedition effort.
BUT - the beauty and grandeur does grab your imagination and it did theirs too.
They often stopped to look, if they could stop, or linger if camped at a place of special interest to Powell. They took side walking trips. And the number of times they climbed to get a better view of the prospects of the river ahead were legion. YOU are presented with their wonderment and deep appreciation for the trip - that seems to have been its saving grace. For they were called upon to live with privation and the rain. I couldn't believe the number of times they had severe rain storms especially in Arizona. (...)

The author has placed a little map of the segment of the river they were about to enter at the beginning of each chapter. It helps keep you oriented. There is also a photo section which provides enrichment of the principals and some locations.

Now, the story itself builds to a natural climax that will begin to grab you midway through the venture. You will sense the feeling of eternal repetition of the river and its mad behavior. It becomes a kind of tormenter. When will they be through with the trip? The men become restive and short tempered. They do not all like each other all the time by any means. And, although Dolnick doesn't stress this he has to report what they write in their notes. And, there reflections of the trip. They are caught up in the reality that they volunteered and they are responsible for their own fate; yet they are in a very intimate situation which requires them to note the flaws of others - especially the leader. It is hard work and Powell expect them to do their job. Because he has only one arm there are many tasks he cannot perform, this becomes an aggravation too, but they all knew this in the beginning. Yet there is, as Dolnick tells the story, a need to be loyal to the mission and the needs of others; and so they have their experiences where great joy and satisfaction is express by the group after some tough experience. (...)

Because it is a history, not a novel, the author tells of the future lives of the men. He tells what he can based on

As people may or may not know, there are now two Colorado "then and now" books out: Colorado: 1870-2000 by John Fielder and Colorado: Yesterday & Today by Grant Collier. I am fascinated by these types of books and therefore bought both books. I have carefully compared the two based on several different aspects and decided that, for the reasons listed below, Colorado: Yesterday & Today is the best overall value.

1) Accuracy of Photo Retakes: While Fielder did a rather competent job of matching the historic photos, Collier did a remarkable job. Unless it was impossible to match them, due to trees blocking the view, etc., most of Collier's photos appear to be taken from nearly the exact location as the historic photos. EDGE: Colorado: Yesterday & Today.

2) Originality: Since both of the books were published within a short time span, it seems possible that one photographer copied the other's idea for the book. Initially, I assumed that Fielder started on his book first. But, after looking into it, I was surprised to find that Collier started working on his book before Fielder even decided to do his book. EDGE: Colorado: Yesterday & Today

3) Reputation: This is Collier's first book, while Fielder has published many other books. EDGE: Colorado: 1870-2000

4) Written Text: Colorado: 1870-2000 has some interesting essays written by leading environmentalists, historians, etc. My one complaint is that the essays do not really provide any information on the photos in the book. Colorado: Yesterday & Today was written entirely by the photographer, Grant Collier. He did a very competent job writing the histories of the towns in the book, and this text provides the reader with additional information on the photographs in the book. EDGE: EVEN

5) Appearance of the book: Colorado: 1870-2000 is a very large book and is perhaps a little bulky. But the large photos in it are quite nice. Colorado: Yesterday & Today is more of a standard size book, and it is easier to sit down and look through this book. But the photos are obviously not quite as large. Also, both books have VERY NICE leather covers. EDGE: EVEN

6) Intangibles: In Colorado: 1870-2000 Fielder reshot the images of pioneer photographer William Henry Jackson. In Colorado: Yesterday & Today Collier reshot the images of his great-great-grandfather, and pioneer photographer, Joseph Collier. This adds a fascinating human-interest aspect to Colorado: Yesterday & Today that is lacking in Colorado: 1870-2000. EDGE: Colorado: Yesterday & Today.

OVERALL VALUE: The SRP of Fielder's book is $95, while the SRP of Collier's book is $39.95. So, given the price and quality of Colorado: Yesterday & Today, I would say that it is certainly the best overall value.

To conclude, if you're only going to buy one Colorado "then and now" book, I'd recommend Colorado: Yesterday & Today. If you're going to buy two, Colorado: 1870-2000 isn't too bad a buy, either.

John Fielder is one of America's greatest living photographers, and he brings his love of the Colorado wilderness to this book. His re-shoots of Jacksons 19th century photographs are both beautiful and thought-provoking.... the photographs make it worthwhile.

On the other hand, the text is a different story. Reading a text-only version of this book, one might conclude that the title is a misprint, and that the book should really be called "Colorado 1970 - 2000." Fielder roamed across Colorado capturing the changes in places like Kremmling, Denver, and Ouray, but the text never tells us anything about these places, or why they changed, or why we should care. Instead we get chapters about oil shale and the Forest Service.

Ahem. If I wanted to read about the relationship between Forest Service bureaucrats and small Western towns, I would have bought a book called "The Relationship Between the Forest Service and Small Western Towns." My book is called "Colorado 1870 - 2000." That is what I want to read about.

It's true that oil shale schemes, government agencies, and others have played a role in shaping Colorado in the past 30 years. But before that there were events like the Silver Crash of 1893, the City Beautiful movement, the Depression, World War II, and Urban Renewal. You won't read about those in this book.

The pictures are beautiful, and the text is well-written (if misplaced and unwanted). Just don't expect to learn much about the places you are looking at- except that they are very pretty.

Jackson - Fielder 1870 - 2000 is a comparison of photographs of Colorado, showing the changes that have occurred geographically and developmentally over the past century. William Henry Jackson took pictures at the end of the 19th century. John Fielder returned to the exact locations a hundred years later to capture the similarities and differences that have taken place. The book is fascinating and nostalgic not only to Coloradans, but to historians, geologists, environmentalists, as well as anyone who just loves to view the beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding foothills. I highly recommend this book for hours of enjoyment.

The first book I read from Kent Haruf was Plainsong, which I thought was one of the best books of the year. The Tie That Binds, however, may be even better. It's bleak simplicity, as stark as the Colorado plains in which it takes place, assaults the reader slowly and steadily, unrelenting, but sublime and oh so human. The story of Sanders Roscoe and his neighbors Edith and Lyman Goodnough is heartbreaking and inevitable. Told by Roscoe in a voice as authentic as any I've ever heard, the tale unwinds slowly and passionately. I can imagine sitting in Roscoe's house listening to him tell his side of the story with the rapt attention he demands and deserves. Like Plainsong, the book is full of characters who, with the exception of Edith's father, straddle the line between heroism and villanry. No one is without blame or imperfections, regardless of their intentions. Haruf obviously understands life in Holt, Colorado, and does a wonderful job of conveying it to the reader. Likewise, he knows people and the characters in this book jump off the pages with honesty and realness. An excellent book and another reason to delve deeper into the Haruf portfolio of fine books.

Fifteen years before he wrote his masterpiece Plainsong, Kent Haruf produced this gem. The Tie That Binds will surely find readers as a result of Plainsong, a fine story about brothers and loneliness and tenacity in the High Plains community of Holt, Colorado. Haruf's first novel also features the relationship between siblings, the dutiful Edith Goodnough and her simple brother Lyman, both children of failed homesteaders condemned to a hard life on a dryland farm south of Holt. She is, in the words of the narrator, Sanders Roscoe, her admiring neighbor from the adjacent ranch, a person who "continued to endure by plain courage and a clear eye to duty." In her 80 years, Edith has known 4 men well - her own flawed father and his feckless son Lyman - and another father and son, John and Sanders Roscoe, who are the only persons in the world who truly understand her courage, incredible sense of duty, and beauty. But, as Sanders says "understanding it doesn't mean liking it". Edith's story is haunting yet inspirational. Sanders wonderful narration is filled with the stoic truths of the Great Plains: "Life ain't fair" and "If you can't understand it, you just have to accept it" and "It wasn't anybody's fault. It happened; that's all." The tenor of The Tie That Binds is reminiscent of a two very different classics of the Plains: Larry McMurtry's "Last Picture Show" and Ole Rolvaag's "Giants in the Earth." Having grown up on the Eastern Colorado plains, I swear I know many of the characters. They are as genuine as the real article and every bit as tragic. Five stars without reservation.

Kent Haruf's novel, The Tie That Binds, is a sad, beautiful little book that ultimately has a kernal of hope buried deep within it. The fine writing and the strong voice of the narrator will carry the reader along through the story of Edith Goodnough and all her eighty years of hardship, sacrifice and small pleasures. Edith is a vivid and true creation that seems formed from the earth of the Great Plains itself. It is hard to believe that this is a first novel and it will certainly lead this reader to other novels by this author. It is a little depressing as Kent Haruf is superb at capturing the isolation of the prairies but the novel does find a way to squeeze precious drops of joy from the situation. A fine read.

I own every guide book written about the Colorado 14ers and Roach's is the best. The new second edition is worth buying for it's color photographs and topo maps. The routes are now well described in both text and illustrations.

Gerry Roach's works are set apart from other authors for two reasons. First, Roach gives you the personal perspective of one man. He has climbed all of the peaks in his books and gives consistent, first hand accounts. After climbing a few of the routes in one book, I know what to expect from others. Second, Roach has made a career out of climbing in Colorado. His love of the mountains is evident and he is considered my many to the be authority on mountain climbing in the Boulder area.

I own all of his books.

If you are into skiing Colorado fourteeners, you might want to check out the Dawson guides, but personally, this book by Gerry Roach is my favorite guide for climbing Colorado's 14,000 foot peaks. Gerry Roach's guidebook provides very good information about the relative difficulty of different hiking and climbing routes, good route maps, photographs of the peaks, and detailed route descriptions. His guidebook provides alternative routes for most of the peaks, and I like the way he lists his favorite routes as "classics." Gerry Roach's guidebook is also more economical than the Dawson guides.

This book ranks as the single indispensable guide to hiking and/or climbing Colorado's highest mountains. Not only does Mr. Roach supply the reader with thorough and accurate route information, but he includes occasional wry observations on both mountains and mountaineers. We can only hope that the publisher will soon see the wisdom in printing another edition of this classic. Even for the person who makes but a single ascent per year this book ranks as a "must have."

The only criticism I have of the book is that the mileages listed (in the edition I have) tend to run shorter than the actual mileages of the routes. My brother and I jokingly refer to "Roach miles" and then make the necessary 10-15% addition to the miles listed for each route when planning our trips. My suspicion regarding the origin of this "discrepancy" is that the mileages given in the book may be based solely on horizontal distance and might not take the vertical dimension into account.

As of now, there are only three books that I would take the time to read over and over again. "Years" by LaVyrle Spencer is one; "Hummingbird" is another; the third is "The Thornbirds" by Colleen McCullough. I've read all three of them time and time again, and they always make me cry. (That's saying a lot for a girl who is normally not prone to emotions!)

This is an excellent book. Some have complained about the bickering between the two main characters, but I think that just added to the romantic tension. I really just wanted to slap each of them upside the head and say, "Don't you see what his happening here?!?!"

I have to admit: I was never really into romance novels until my sister recommended LaVyrle Spencer to me. Her novels keep me captivated to the end of the book. They keep me guessing. I absolutely HATE it when the two main characters meet and sleep together in the first 100 pages. LaVyrle Spencer keeps the reader guessing, and keeps the tension a vital part of the romance.

Her novels seem to follow a particular pattern, yes, but it's a pattern that keeps me reading. I recommend her books to any romance novel fan!

This was the first book I had read by Lavryle Spencer years ago and it hooked me. I've been a fan ever since.This was a great love story and nobody could have told it better than her.I think I read this one twice.All of her books are good and i was very saddened when she decide to retire.Guess I'll have to keep all of her books and reread them again.

This is one of my favorite books and definitely the best by Miss Spencer. I have read it more times then I can remember. Abbie and Jesse are so funny together. I too was pleased to hear about them in The Gamble. I would highly recommend this book

Lost Grizzlies is a superb read! Rick Bass is fast becoming (may already be) our premier writer of the american wilderness. Bass' descriptions of the books characters and the wilds of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado are vivid. I enjoyed Bass' descriptions of Doug Peacock's brilliance and brutishness. I enjoyed reading ABOUT Peacock almost as much as I enjoyed reading Peacock's book (Grizzly Years).

As Rick Bass and Doug Peacock go high and deep into Colorado's San Juan Mountains, on the chance there might still be grizzlies somehow surviving there, we are treated to glimpses of unspeakable beauty and wonder. It's as though Bass were able to blend his own Ninemile Wolves with Peacock's Grizzly Years. Their journey is both exhilerating and meditative. Reading this book was a pleasure.

Rick Bass does it again! This book, as much a character desription of grizzly expert Doug Peacock as it is a search for supposedly extinct grizzly bears in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, is a great triumph. The story is compelling, the language is beautiful, and the search itself is important. Truly, our attitude toward grizzly bears must be a direct reflection of our attitude toward ourselves. Although sometimes Bass gets a little heavy-handed with his metaphors--we probably could figure out that Doug Peacock has many grizzly-like traits without his coming out and telling us--his plea for the protection and defense of grizzlies is compelling, believeable, and genuine. A wonderful read.

I enjoyed the book but found it a little lacking to the others of his I have read. Possibly it is me and I suffer to many thrillers and serial killers, hard to say. Still all in all a very good story well ploted out with Colorado as a good background and two nice people that deserved more than they had received in life. I would recommend the book actually on its fine readability.

Amy Parkens is a single mom struggling to raise her young daughter. One day a mysterious package containing $200,000.00 appears on her doorstep.

Ryan Duffy is a divorced doctor, his dying father has revealed to him there is 2 million dollars hidden in their attic.

Amy begins searching to find out who sent the money and why.

Ryan begins to search his father's past to find out who his father was blackmailing and why.

The search brings Amy and Ryan together...What is the connection between the two, and is there a connection to Amy's mother's suicide many years earlier?

You will turn the pages FAST to uncover the answers to these questions

James Grippando is an author whose talent for coming up with clever, page-turning plots is endless.

"Found Money" moves at the speed of a runaway train, and the climax is a shocker.

This book is a MUST read!

I am a major fan of Grippando. I read his The Informant and good hooked royally.
Well this book is a fast paced,cracker of a thriller.
You will never know what will happen next.
Grippando has the readers hooked till the end.
Suspense builds up and you will be surprised at the twist at the end of the book.
A real page turner i have recommended this book to all my friends.
Please dont miss this thriller which has everything packed in it.

Vail/Beaver Creek is probably my favorite vacation spot on earth in the summertime...about the only time of year I can afford it (and even then barely). This is a fascinating book, part history of Vail, part meditation on the issues surrounding growth in the affluent west (ie, how a resort for the rich and famous affects the locals and the environment), but largely a whodunnit surrounding the 1998 arson on Vail Mountain.

I wouldn't go so far at to call this a "Rocky Mountain version of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' " - Glick's writing isn't that smooth and his character development isn't that deep. But I am fascinated by this part of the country and it's a good story that he has to work with. In the end he presents all the available evidence and lets you draw your own conclusions - probably the best way to end considering that the arson itself remains unsolved.

Powder Burn was a GREAT book that provided me with the information that i needed to know about the mystery of who tourched vail. I learned some stuff in my political geography class about this that is what got me interested in it and made me read it. I recommend it to all people who like mystery books with a small twist of history.

Dan Glick writes an impressive highly interesting treatise on the 1998 arsons on Vail Mountain. This book not only covers the fires but also the money lust and greed of Vail Associates (VA) and serves as a political-social commentary on big business in small Colorado mountain towns. For Coloradans and residents of the Rocky Mountain west, those interested in current social activism, and money hungy Wall Street-ers this is a must read.

This book has also been published with the title "Mountain of Bones" so don't buy it twice like I did!

I like these books. They are not predictable, which is unusual and good. After reading so many crime novels and about forensics, it is refreshing not to be able to pick the killer, and be thinking for half the book "c'mon stupid main character, he/she's the killer!"

The only problem I have is the long bits of describing the scenery.

After reading Liberty Falling, I became Nevada Barr's Fan #1. I definitely wanted more Anna Pigeon. The reviews suggested that Ill Wind was not only a good suspense mystery, but also a good character novel. Thus I read my second Anna book. I was not disappointed.

The characterization of Anna is superb. With her soul-searching and sometimes late-night-drinking as well as her love of the natural world and a somewhat love of a temporary ranger, she makes for a very well-rounded heroine. Only problem is I just finished the book this morning, and I already miss her and her adventures.

The other characters in Ill Wind were excellent too -- the young ranger from Tennessee, who was a little "too sweet" but had a hidden bravery -- the lovable dwarf child Bella, who was a poignant mixture of vulnerability and toughness -- and even an FBI agent with a heart -- all seemed entiredly believable.

The story didn't disappoint either. I had my guesses early on as to what was causing the calamities, but it was a great ride following Anna and her fellow rangers as they solved the mystery.

Hmmm. Better start reading the reviews to see which book I'll get next!

Nevada Barr really hit her stride in Ill Wind, the third in her wonderful Anna Pigeon series.

In this tale, park ranger Anna is stationed at Colorado's Mesa Verde park, where the famous cliff dwellings draw tourists from all over the world. As in her other two books, Barr makes the reader experience the site. It is her great gift--reading about the kivas and mesas and the haunting spirits of the primitive Anasazi, who originally constructed the mesas, I felt I was there. I could feel the heat of the air, smell the surrounding vegetation, feel the sandstone. And, along with Anna, who is becoming more likeable with every book, I worried about seemingly nefarious activites in the park--of of which ends in the death of a fellow ranger. Anna knows the death is not accidental, but try as she might, she cannot put together the increasingly strange and seemingly unrelated clues.

Along comes "Fred the Fed," whom we met the last book. He and Anna team up to solve the mystery, and the interplay between them is a true delight.

I find this series a true delight as well; the concept of a park ranger as law-enforcement detective is so different, and so perfect, as are the descriptions of the incredible national parks. I am getting a real education, here! This is the perfect book to take to the beachl or the pool or the park--easy, fun, gently suspenseful, and perfect.

This was the first book of Ms. Krentz that I read, and that was all it took; she had me hooked! Even after 10 years and hundreds of books, I remember the plot with great detail. Gifts of Gold, and its sequel, Gifts of Fire make a great read for those who like contemporary AND historical fiction. There is a dash of the paranormal, which Ms. Krentz later expands in her 'flower' books (Orchid, Zinnia), but which she wrote about WAY before it was vogue to do so. I just love the way she took our hero and heroine and combined their special 'gifts'. With a quick wit, a great sense of humor, a villanous 'bad guy', and some great sensual scenes, this book is not to be missed!!!

Gift of Gold blends your independent female heroine and tough male hero with a dash of the supernatural in the form of hero Jonas Quarrel's trips into a type of time tunnel. He has the ability to actually experience the history of objects of violence, but can then become overcome by the emotions connected to them. Verity Ames becomes his perfect match, able to control the powers in the psychic time tunnel and match Jonas passionately on the physical plane. The perfect matchup on more than one level makes their romance a binding one that is able to overcome outside threats. This novel should be read in conjunction with its sequel, Gift of Fire. Fans of Krentz will note that her later books, such as Deep Waters and Absolutely, Positively have strayed away from the psychic format of the two Gift novels and Midnight Jewels and into the realm of the business world. If they miss that added twist, take a look at her new series under the name Jayne Castle -- Amaryllis and Zinnia. Jayne has taken the concept started in the Gift novels of a woman being the controlling force for a man's psychic power making her the perfect mate into a new realm. She moved them to another planet where psychic ability is the norm and runs from there. If you liked Gift of Gold/Fire, take a looke at the new novels written as Jayne Castle

I have read almost every JAK book that she has written. I can say that I have enjoyed every contemporary romance she has written (I'm not too into the otherworld, futuristic ones). Her heroes are always believable but heroic. Her heroines are down-to-earth women. And of all the books I've read, this one is my absolute favorite. Those professional advertising reviews always state "you won't be able to put it down", but in this case, its true! I totally fell in love with Jonas and could easily imagine myself as Verity (I have red hair too!). And by the way... Make sure you read Gift of Fire after this one; it takes you through Verity and Jonas' next phase of their romance and keeps you "begging for more".