Travelers' Tales Grand Canyon: True Stories

This is a marvelous book, and why didn't someone think of it before? One of the very premier places in the world - an essential place of pilgrimage for so many non-Americans who visit the country for the first time. For all Americans it is a "at least once in a life" place to visit. The essence of this guide is the 32 short stories - different perspectives on the Grand Canyon experience, written by almost that many different authors. There are the famous authors: Edward Abbey, Colin Fletcher, Page Stegner. There is the "close call" told by Stewart Udall, environmentalist and former Secretary of the Interior. There is the political advocacy of David Brower, long time Executive Director of the Sierra Club, who admits that he was partially responsible for the death of Glen Canyon, and now advocates the tearing down of dams. And there are the many other stories, some harrowing, some delightful, which should increase the reader's respect for one of earth's "sacred places." Not all the stories obviously are of equal impact or quality, but that issue is unintentionally covered in a story by Barry Lopez, who quotes Thoreau: "The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." The book also contains some excellent maps, and a chart on the geological cross-sections. There is a brief introduction; the five sections of the book are preceded by black and white "wood block" drawings of the canyon, and there is a practical guide at the end, including a vital bibliography. It was virtually impossible to pick a favorite story, far better to identify three: Stegner's lyrical and philosophical "Revelation"; Janecek's cautionary "Flash Flood"; and Abbey's very own "close call," entitled "Havasu." For anyone considering a Grand Canyon visit, this is a wonderful guide for both the body and spirit.