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This is a review of a 1961 paperback edition that I purchased in Madison, WI at a used book shop for five dollars in December of 1998. The book is extremely well illustrated, although, not always of pertinent figures. The illustrations are unorganized and often leave you wondering how a perticular image relates to the text. This book is not a wildly descriptive representation of Powells struggles on his journey, but rather a dry direct account from his scientific journal. If you are looking for a good easy descriptive read to aquaint you with the Colorado River I would suggest you look into some of the works published by Wallace Stegner. For a more experience individual, this book is an excellent reference regarding the historical account of how the physiographic features of the area recieved their names and what the landscape looked like prior to dams, lakes, National Park roads, the removal of the Native Americans. Its also an account of people exploring before the glorification of the"wilderness" leading to east-coast city slickers (like myself) persuing expditions to places the dont belong. Let us all throw away our synthetic North Face fleece (100% Crude Oil) and read deeply about a region before we go. If we go at all and trod on someones stolen lands (i.e. Navajo, Ute,...).

One of the most enthralling and astonishing adventure books I've ever read. Powell was an ace geologist, a pretty good naturalist, a fearless explorer, and a very good writer. Add the unexplored waters of the Grand Canyon -- they truly didn't know what they were getting into when they started down the Canyon -- and you have a great book. The illustrations are first-rate as well.