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Down the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell's 1869 Journey of Discovery and
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Down the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell's 1869 Journey of Discovery and Tragedy Through the Grand Canyon Paperback - 2002

by Edward Dolnick

In May 1869, a one-armed Civil War veteran and a ragtag band of nine mountain men embarked on the last great quest in the American West: the fabled Grand Canyon. Drawing on rarely examined diaries and journals, this is the first book to tell the full, dramatic story of John Wesley Powell's expedition. 16-page photo insert. Maps and index.


From the publisher

Drawing on rarely examined diaries and journals, Down the Great Unknown is the first book to tell the full, dramatic story of the Powell expedition.

On May 24, 1869 a one-armed Civil War veteran, John Wesley Powell and a ragtag band of nine mountain men embarked on the last great quest in the American West. The Grand Canyon, not explored before, was as mysterious as Atlantis--and as perilous. The ten men set out from Green River Station, Wyoming Territory down the Colorado in four wooden rowboats. Ninety-nine days later, six half-starved wretches came ashore near Callville, Arizona.

Lewis and Clark opened the West in 1803, six decades later Powell and his scruffy band aimed to resolve the West's last mystery. A brilliant narrative, a thrilling journey, a cast of memorable heroes--all these mark Down the Great Unknown, the true story of the last epic adventure on American soil.

From the rear cover

0n May 24, 1869, a one-armed Civil War veteran named John Wesley Powell and a ragtag band of nine mountain men embarked on the last great quest in the American West. No one had ever explored the fabled Grand Canyon; to adventurers of that era it was a region almost as mysterious as Atlantis -- and as perilous.

The ten men set out down the mighty Colorado River in wooden rowboats. Six survived. Drawing on rarely examined diaries and journals, Down the Great Unknown is the first book to tell the full, true story.

Details

  • Title Down the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell's 1869 Journey of Discovery and Tragedy Through the Grand Canyon
  • Author Edward Dolnick
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 400
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harper Perennial, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 2002-09-17
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Illustrated, Index, Maps
  • ISBN 9780060955861 / 0060955864
  • Weight 0.73 lbs (0.33 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.02 x 5.3 x 0.99 in (20.37 x 13.46 x 2.51 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 19th Century
    • Chronological Period: 1851-1899
    • Cultural Region: Southwest U.S.
    • Cultural Region: Western U.S.
    • Geographic Orientation: Arizona
  • Dewey Decimal Code 979.132

Media reviews

Citations

  • New York Times, 09/29/2002, Page 32
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