This book is the third in the author's arsenal, and it is just as useful as the other two. The author is a wonderful photographer, just the images in the book would be worth the price, but the reader gets a lot more:
Detailed descriptions of where to go for the best shots, and the best times to go there. For some of the areas, you get a mile-by-mile log, and even some compositional suggestions. Even if one has been to these places previously, this book contains extremely valuable information for the serious photographer.

As the miles click by on the way to the Grand Canyon - this keepsake is your personal tour guide to the history of people, places and habitat on the high plains of Arizona.

An extremely well presented book. Very informative ,well written and brilliant photography. Excellent stuff.

This book is a good story, a trip through the Grand Canyon, alone, in a raft. What was most memorable was how the author gave voice and expression to the thoughts and feelings I have had in my own life when facing a challenge, or simply trying to understand myself. This is one of those outer journey/inner journey narratives by someone who is really good at putting words to the quirks of each of our internal natures. If you have been down the Colorado River through the canyon, you recognize all the places -- but even if you have not, you recognize the places within yourself that the author visits and writes about.

Many of my friends have read this book -- and we all agree, men and women alike, that it is a good read, and a neat journey both through the canyon and through the quirks that make us all human.

This is a beautiful book, one in which the author goes beyond her river journey to do some soul-searching into her own truths. Patricia tells the story of how her adventurous side comes alive through one Grand Canyon trip, motivating her to abandon her corporate urban life in NYC for the wild rivers of the American West. The book details the pinnacle of her river experiences, a solo journey through Grand Canyon, with insight into the core of who she is and what the rivers have helped her become.

A friend gave me this book before I left for a private trip on our raft down the Grand Canyon. I did not have a chance to read it before leaving. I had been fearful of the journey ahead. Upon returning I read the book cover to cover and felt as if I was reading my own journal. Never could I have imagined going on this trip with a small group let alone attempting anything close to Patricia's solo experience. I would go back to the Colorado River in a heartbeat! By sharing her experience, Patricia's book becomes a guide book in facing your fears head on, and the empowerment that comes as a direct result of doing so. We don't all have to run rivers, but it's a fantastic way of finding ourselves. Patricia shares the journey and even though I had just been there, I felt as if I was back on my raft! Thank Patricia!

Al is a river guide in a Discovery Unlimited white water rafting expedition who sends letters to Star, Pug, Rita, and Jessie who all took part in a white water rafting trip last year down the Grand Canyon River. They are surprised to find out that the letters were actually sent by a teenager named Troy who also took part in the trip last year. Troy got rafts, a permit and all the equipment from a sponsored company to run the Grand Canyon River once again. Last year they hadn't run the whole river because they all kept getting into arguments with Troy. Troy decided to plan this trip to make up for what happened last year and to try and get closer to Jessie. After much thought they all decided to try and run it again. Their one rule was that nobody alone was boss and they all had to work as a team to get something done. The river was traveling at 50,000 fps (feet per second) and that was high and hard to run. They made it through the first big rapids and their only challenge was Crystal Rapids and that would require more strength and thinking. The river was now climbing to 72,000 fps and was making history. Canyon Magic was another group running the river so Troy decided to hook up with them a few times. Later on, Troy decided that he was going to take over and do things his way and the others had to follow. Jessie, Star, Pug, Rita, and Adam, who joined later, decided Troy wasn't going to push them around. So Troy said fine. He had been stuck up and grumpy the entire trip and didn't participate in anything. Troy thought that he could go far with Jessie, but Jessie disagreed. They made it past Crystal and it was easy going from then on. Troy straightened out and cooperated the rest of the trip, but most of all, he learned the truth about himself.
I would rate this book a five star because it was an exciting, heart pounding story. The River Thunder was well told and very detailed about its adventures.
I really liked the book because it dealt with being in the outdoors, easy to read and it taught you to loosen up and move on with your life. This book is also a sequel to Downriver.

I never knew there was so much life below the Grand Canyon walls. Seeing the Canyon from the visitors center 1 mile above the Colorado River can be quite overwhelming, but wait until you see it from the river itself. This book is more than an adventure down the Colorado by raft, it's geography, hiking guide and biography. I have never wanted to explore the Canyon more than since I read this book, and feel I already have. The book is well written and well developed. It's excitement and adventure will keep the attention and build imagination. It's also great for adults and tells a lot about the Canyon itself. It's based on a real actual accounts Will Hobbs (author) had himself while in the Canyon. I reccomend this book for all ages and abilities. Get surged witin the River Thunder!

You always wander what happens next in a book. This book is the perfect example of a sequel. It's like reading from down river to river thunder without ever stopping it leaves you wanting to go adventure yourself. Go on the adventure River Thunder.

Grand Ambition is a story of fact and fiction woven together masterfully into a beautiful, honest portrayal of love and adventure. Lisa Michael's captures the awesome majesty of the Grand Canyon so completely I felt that I was with Bessie and Glen Hyde as they navigated their way down the Colorado. Despite knowing that they never achieve their "Grand Ambition," I was completely engrossed in seeing the newlyweds safely through each new hurdle. I loved this book so much I bought several more copies to give as presents and have told many others about it.

What a thrill to ride along with Bessie and Glen Hyde on their grand adventure down the Colorado River! In reimagining these real-life figures from the 1920s and their quest to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon, Michaels has written a suspenseful, exquisite novel. I was as swept away by Bessie and Glen's romance as by their heart-stopping--and ultimately, haunting--journey. I couldn't put the book down, and then I was sad for it to end. So I read it again.

Based on an intriguing premise, Grand Ambition is a novel I wanted to savor. But I couldn't, because once I started, I found myself turning the pages compulsively. This is a story that spawned it's own urban legends for more than 70 years. Newlyweds Glen and Bessie Hyde spend their honeymoon in 1928 shooting the rapids through the Grand Canyon on a scow designed by Glen, who has dreamed of this journey. Although Bessie has no experience, she has great enthusiasm and a willingness to take a bite out of what life has to offer her. They hope to set a record for speed, but if not that, then Bessie will be the first woman to successfully shoot the rapids. After the trip, they plan to lecture and write a book describing the adventure, using Bessie's skills as an artist to illustrate their story.

But something goes wrong. After a last sighting, the couple are never seen or heard from again. Glen's father, Hyde Sr., launches a rescue effort to discover the fate of his son and daughter-in-law, hoping to find them still alive. Mr. Hyde contacts everyone who has had contact with the young couple and religiously follows up every clue. When their scow is found floating lose with all necessary supplies still on board, the obvious becomes more and more ominous.

Michaels alternates chapters between the events as they happen to Bessie and Glen and the desperate rescue attempt by Glen's father, with a tension seesawing between hope and despair. The character of Bessie is finely tuned, her youth ultimately allowing fear to overshadow her expectations that Glen can really keep her safe on this increasingly terrifying dance over the whitecaps. Has Bessie put too much faith in Glen's strengths rather than her own? What if Glen, for all his brave posturing, is wrong?

The terrible truth is there from the beginning, but Michaels' characters, particularly Bessie and her father-in-law, are so courageous, so full of spirit, that the final pages come too soon. So little is really known about this couple and their fate that the author gives them voice and dreams, even those that shatter.

I have never been down the Green River, the Colorado River or even to the Grand Canyon. Having read Dolnick's book about John Wesley Powell's first expedition, I definitely want to go there and read more about this. Dolnick's writing is so vivid, and clear that you almost feel like you are on the expedition too. It would be hard to write a fictional account of an adventure that would be more exciting than Powell's expedition. Every day there was some thing more awful or wonderful than the day before. Real unexplored territory! Looking at the bibliography and chapter notes, it is obvious that Dolnick did a great deal of research before he wrote this book. The use of the primary sources, especially diaries of men on the expedition, add a great deal to the delight of reading this book. You get to know some of the "characters" quite well. A highly recommended read.

This was a fantastic book. I read Powell's "Exploration of the Colorado" almost 50 years ago and was so excited about it that I bought a boat, tried to replicate his trip, almost drowned and spent 10 days nearly starving in Cataract Canyon. If I had read Dolnick's book instead of Powell's romanticized, much abbreviated account, I would have been much more cautious. Powell's book is still one of the great books in American history, but until I read Dolnick's book I really didn't know what went on. It was like revisiting the trip all over again, and was, if this is possible, even more exciting. There's only a book or two each year that I recommend to my friends and this is definitely one. Also, to any river runners out there who think this is just a rehash of Powell's trip - it's much, much more.

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.

This is based on a true story about the adventures of a special donkey who lives in the Grand Canyon during the time of the building of the first bridge. The story has very real-life qualites. The geographical description of Grand Canyon and involvement with President Theodore Roosevelt are a pleasant addition! This book makes a good read aloud for intermediates and leaves you with an endearing feeling for the characters. I recommend this for intermediate ages. It may be too graphic for young children. Happy reading!

My father and grand parents started the Wylie Way camp at the North Rim in 1916. The Summer of 1918 was when Brighty became their water carrier and my father and Brighty made several trips a day to a water source 200ft. below the rim. The camp was about 100yds North West from the current Grand Canyon Lodge and held up to 100 people per night at it's capacity. My Grandmother did all of the accounting and was basically in charge of the people and the kitchen, including the ordering of food, cooking and purchases from Z.C.M.I. It was a pioneering effort, to say the least. Dad's encounters with Brighty have become synonymous with early life at the North Rim. Grandfather wrote an article on Brighty for Sunset Magazine and Marguerite Henry based her book on this article. The book is fiction but has some true things such as Brighty crossing the Bridge first and being independant. I'm not sure if Brighty actually was used by Roosevelt but another Burro was used and his name was Ted. Dad used Ted his first summer at the camp. Ted was stubborn so the following summer Brighty was given them by Uncle Jim Owen who had used Brighty off and on in his cougar hunting adventures. Owen was a resident expert who worked for the government culling the cougar population and raising cattle and buffalo. Thanks. M. Krueger

This great book I read when I was 6,7,8,& 9, but I still remember how great it was. This book was written by a great author, Marguerite Henry. She always wrote Realistic Fiction about horses. Even if you're not a horse lover, you would love these. In Brighty of the Grand Canyon, a donkey named Brighty lives with an old man that lives in the Grand Canyon. One night a "bad guy" comes and meets the two friends. The old man thinks he is really friendly, so he lets him stay the night. Before they went to bed, the old man tells the other too much information and that night, the other man kills him. Brighty knew when he first laid eyes on him, he could tell he was up to no good. As the story goes on, the man runs away and Brighty tries to get him in jail. Brighty goes through many tough challenges and exciting times. Brighty fights with other animals, plays with children, gets sick, and gets trapped with the man and a young boy. I'm not going to give away the end, but not very many people have even heard of Marguerite Henry, so if you think you will enjoy this book from my review, please do so. I admired Marguerite Henry for how well she wrote her stories and how her imagination worked. Sadly, she died in 1998. Once again, I hope you will enjoy the book if you decide to read it.

In the last 19 years at least seven general interest Grand Canyon hiking guides have been published and so far this is the best for those folks who want to hike not only the popular trails but other trails and routes as well. Included are excellent descriptions of all the popular trails but many less visited trails and routes are also included (ie, Apache, Tuckup, Whitmore). Of all the in-print guides his trail descriptions are the most up-to-date and his trail mileages are the most accurate. The "introductory" sections on natural history, Native American cultures, etc. are added bonuses. Other important features include lists of water sources and temple and butte climbing history. The book's small compact size lends itself to be carried easily in one's day or backpack. The only negative notes I would add are that some of his trail descriptions need minor updating and the bibliographies could also use updating. The index has been improved since the last edition. For those folks wanting to hike only the most popular trails consider "Hiking Grand Canyon National Park" by Adkisson or "Official Guide to Hiking Grand Canyon" by Thybony. (I have been told a 2001 edition is planned for the Thybony book.) Both of these are excellent guides. Annerino's book includes a fold-out trail map but one venturing off the heavily travelled trails should consider the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Grand Canyon Topo Map. (Note: I have lived at the Grand Canyon for over 11 years, have hiked below the rim over 5,000 miles and have hiked most of the routes in the book.)

An excellant reference for the Toroweap Trail and many other Canyon trails is HIKING THE GRAND CANYON by John Annerino. "Plummeting an astonishing 2,600 vertical feet in a mile, the Toroweap Trail is an avalanche of a route waiting to throw you to your knees during the descent and to suck the last drop of moisture out of you during the debilitating crawl out," Annerino wrote. Enough said.

This is the only guide to GC I've ever used. It's taken me safely in and out numerous times. It has the necessities of info. on water, temperatures, distances, obstacles to the routes, elevations, etc.

It seems there is a trend towards people wanting to be held by the hand on their hikes: graphics of the trails, topos included in the guidebook, campsites designated, viewpoints mentioned, etc...

The reality is, one's better of getting the USGS topos, a compass (assuming you know how to use it), and with basic info. provided by a great guide like this, you're set. The detail of this guidebook is in the depth of general information: years of monthly temp. averages, highs, lows. Years of averages on precipitation. It is also reliable in determining the difficulty of a trail and what type of hiker it's suited to.

This book lets you sit down, determine what trail you want, the best time of year, for temps, precip., etc, based on YOUR preferences. The route descriptions are to the point and don't get bogged down in unnecessary detail.

If you don't want much adventure, take the huge practically paved trails (such as Bright Angel - you'll still be physically challenged and be immersed in tremendous beauty) or hire a professional guide, don't blame a great guide book such as this.

Happy hiking.

This book is insightful and while not required reading for a trek to or thru the Grand Canyon, certainly worthwhile to realize the inept misfortune or sheer bad luck several hundred visitors have experienced while above, over or below the rim. It amazes me how many humans dare to tempt fate with nature on any level or in any circumstance but we as a species, have a daring thread of a death wish apparently and in the case of this book, that thread is shreaded and literally torn apart. Tales of accidents, water miscues, poor footing, harsh and unpredictable weather, extreme heat, falls of several hundred feet to a thousand or more are common and little did I realize the canyon on more than one occassion was utilized as a tool for suicide. A rather effective one at that. Contrary to the readers from WI who shared their sentiments on this book, I never over estimate the pride, ego, desperation or stupidity of our brothers and sisters. Thus for me, the book confirms what I've believed all my life as an outdoorsman: people really do not comprehend nature or it's beauty and dangers. I enjoyed the book!

I loved this book! I found it exciting, gripping, fascinating and a book I just couldn't put down. Even though I have a busy life with a full-time job, I read it cover to cover in just a few days! I also have to say I loved the authors' sly humorous comments, and funny way of expressing themselves. Their relaxed, rather conversational style of writing made it that much more enjoyable.

Further, this book is very detailed, obviously shows careful research on the many tragedies, and is a great reference source.

Although I'm an avid reader, I don't read a lot of true adventure type books, but this is definitely one of the best I've read! It has even inspired me to go on the Internet and learn more about the Grand Canyon, and some of the true adventures.

I loved their comparison to Disneyland...so very true, that people assume since it's such a great tourist attraction, that nothing "bad" could ever happen! This book is not only a very exciting read, but as they state in the introduction, it's a good cautionary book on the very real dangers of being ill-prepared and/or overconfident in dealing with the Canyon! Hopefully people can read this and learn to use better sense whenever visiting the outdoors, anywhere.

I recommend it highly!

As a former Grand Canyon backcountry ranger, field guide and author of the information website, Hit the Trail, the single most-often asked question was and still is, "How many people die here a year?" It's almost a morbid fascination but definitely understandable when you stand at the edge of the gorge looking down the distance of nearly a vertical mile to the river! Yes, people do die here, but mostly from careless behavior.

This book intelligently lists each known death in recorded history without being morbid and grim. Many of the deaths extenuating circumstances are described and a discussion of why it happened and how it could have been prevented are included.

You'll learn about Glen and Bessie Hyde, a honeymoon couple who disappeared without a trace in 1928 while running the Colorado River. The river runners still tell the story on river trips, and the TV program, "In Search Of.." did a special investigation and program on the couple. And those who have children that are boy scouts may want to read this to make sure you coach them before they do something foolish on a canyon trip.

In spite of it's topic, Over the Edge is very easy and enjoyable to read. I sat down and read it cover to cover within a short period of time because it was so interesting and well-written. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Grand Canyon, history, and human behavior.

The book is very new, haaving been published in March 2001, and unfortunately quite a few deaths have occurred since then that will have to be added in the next edition. The sad thing is that due mostly to poor judgement, this book will have to be updated regularly.