John Wesley Powell

First Through the Grand Canyon (Expanded, Annotated) John Wesley Powell

Despite having lost an arm in the Civil War, John Wesley Powell had one of the most extraordinary lives and careers of any American of the last half of the 19th century. His legacy and impact is felt today by all who love nature and exploration.

In 1869, Powell recruited a small group of adventurers to run the Green and Colorado Rivers from Wyoming all the way through the unexplored Grand Canyon. It was an enormously perilous journey that is captured here in Powell's own words from his journal.

Surviving terrifying rapids over and over, terrible heat and cold, the loss and near exhaustion of supplies, the voyagers nevertheless kept their humor and esprit, while cataloging scientific observations and their own awe at the astonishing beauty of the country. Before the end, four had left the expedition and the rest emerged as the first to scientifically explore one of America's great treasures.

Grand Canyon historyAmerican explorersAdventure and travel