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

I was inspired to read this book by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils' song "Mr. Powell". I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and the author did a great job of describing the beauty, danger and brutally hard labor the Powell crew experienced to make this journey. Historical references throughout helps the reader to understand where this exploration was in relation to other major events in US history. I highly recommend this book.

Using his background as a journalist, Dolnick, hot on a story over one hundred and thirty years old, breathes new life into the story of John Wesley Powell by focusing his pen almost exclusively on the perils of the Colorado River Exploring Expedition. Dolnick, as the review mentions, is free of pedantry and conveys Powell's trip as if to a buddy encamped on the shores of the Colorado. He purposefully sucks the reader into the reality of the canyons with witticisms such as the one describing Powell's choice of Whitehall boats for the expedition, "now he [Powell] was headed into a fire wearing a gasoline suit." In this respect, Dolnick successfully creates a bridge for the reader between the 21st and 19th centuries, which vividly enliven an important American historical event. Should one wish to learn a great deal about the life of John Wesley Powell, this is not the book. This is the Patton or Spirit of St. Louis, of books, not the Gandhi or Citizen Kane. The lens is centered on a specific event that shaped a man as much as it shaped a nation, and with this perspective, it succeeds. Interestingly, and through no fault of Dolnick's, the book inherits and conveys upon the reader certain undesirable characteristics of its subject matter as the book progresses. Repetition sets in as the men scuttle canyon after canyon with no end in sight. As their bodies grow wan from lack of food, so their powers for description wane. The reader is drawn into their misery and desperation of the watery marathon and reads all the faster to escape with the expedition. As contradictory as it may seem, it is a credit to the writer and a testament to the men that last few chapters become increasingly difficult due to this reflexive, involuntary, empathetic reader response. Three negative points, if minor, regarding Dolnick's work: He fails to discuss the Rainbow Bridge near Glen Canyon, only one of the most incredible rock formations in all of North America, if not the world. In his notes, Dolnick claims to have stuck closely to the accounts of the men's journals, so is it possible, however unlikely, that none mentioned this glorious natural wonder?Secondly, Dolnick claims the bodies of the Howlands and Dunns "have never been found." According to historian Donald Worster, there is strong circumstantial evidence to the contrary. In fact, Worster's work, A River Running West: The Life Of John Wesley Powell, refers to correspondence involving Major Powell, which states as much. To be fair, however, Dolnick's research was not centered on post-expedition history. Finally, Dolnick's notes are inconveniently placed at the back of the book and arranged in such a manner as to make it terribly difficult to follow while reading. It is, however, a minor subtraction from an otherwise excellent historical narrative.

Fascinating book. For anyone rafting the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend reading this as well as the Emerald Mile (read Down the Great Unknown first):  The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon . After reading this, I'm fairly certain John Wesley Powell was insane (and it is a sheer miracle he didn't die), but this book is also great for anyone interested in American history or adventure. For river runners I think this should be required reading for anyone going down the GC - I referenced this book multiple times along with RiverMaps ( Colorado River in The Grand Canyon Map - 4th E-RiverMaps ) as we went down the river and it was fun to see how the Colorado river has changed/ not changed between JWP's first adventure and today. Note - RiverMaps references stories from both Down the Great Unknown and The Emerald Mile - so you get more out of the experience if you read all of them together.

I had a hard time getting started with this book - probably because I was very busy when I started - but wrapping up the last 2/3 on a Friday/Saturday was enthralling. Appreciate the dedication to nonfiction and citing of resources. Perspectives added from more modern timelines lends interest. Felt that I could follow along on the journey - both on the river and in the men‘s minds - fluidly (pun intended and I’m sorry). Recommend.

Well researched. He sticks to the facts and doesn't put thoughts into his subjects' minds (which no one would know). Stephen Ambrose did this and it was maddening. Kudos to Dolnick for refraining. Wish he would have refrained from his many over-the-top metaphors and similes. They got comical / tiring after a while. Good book.

This is an excellent book that tells the story of John Wesley Powell's 1869 river trip through the Grand Canyon. It relies on primary source documents, such as diaries and notes taken by the adventurers. The author also interviewed modern adventurers who have taken boat trips through the dangerous rapids of the Colorado River. Because the author took the time to really learn about and understand the river, the book is highly informative. I learned a great deal about the Colorado River, the canyons, the rocks, and the difficulties faced by Powell and his colleagues. Powell was also a skilled climber even though he had lost an arm at the battle of Shiloh in the Civil War. In sum, this is a great history book that does a wonderful job of helping the reader visualize and understand the challenges that Powell and his men faced.

Excellent combination of first hand reports to arrive at truth. Dolnick's commentary is at turns informative, poetic, and humorous. The historical background and contrasting with current day help give perspective and appreciation, as do the scientific explanations of geology, river formation, boats, and the bizarre functioning of river rapids. I am preparing to take a Grand Canyon rafting trip and found this book to be very helpful, especially combined with "The Emerald Mile" which brought me up to date.

Tony Hillerman, who is quoted on the front cover, is right: "Terrific - an incredible adventure story." And it's a true story. Dolnick is a good story teller, going into amazing details. The only drawbacks: a. sometimes he digresses a bit too much, and b. there are times when he overdoes his love of similes - here is a prime example: "The deeper the layer (of the Grand Canyon rocks), the older, like the clothes on a teenager's bedroom floor." However, all in all, a fantastic story. I have no idea why nobody tried to make a feature movie out of Powell's incredible journey.

Delivered well ahead of expected date, good condition, very happy with everything👍

This book is amazing at capturing the terror of exploring an unknown river rowing backwards through huge rapids for weeks. Based on journals of the crew, this book brings out the personalities of these brave and totally inexperience river runners.

Very descriptive and imaginatively written account.These crazy dudes gave all in the name of discovery and science,some gave their lives. What I really liked about this book was the authorsbackground narrative, e.g. The civil war and the horror of the lack of anaesthetic,plus his ability to make the science of geology sound exciting.I left this book with much more than the feeling of a great rollercoaster rideand would recommend it to the readers of adventure yarns, historicalscience and Western pioneer enthusiasts.

Exciting and informative non-fiction account of the first people to take a boat all the way through the Grand Canyon, with lots of contextual information and input from modern boatmen and women. Has certainly 'wetted' (sorry) my appetite for my forthcoming rafting trip!