Let me just start by saying, I loved this book! I loved his previous book! What author am I referring to and what books you might wonder? Kevin Fedarko thrilled, educated, inspired, and left me hungry for more with his new book, “A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon.”
I finished reading Fedarko’s “The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History through the Heart of the Grand Canyon” last month, recommended to me by a patron, and I could not wait for his next non-fiction adventure book to arrive. I packed my armchair adventurer backpack and dove right in as soon as “A Walk in the Park” arrived on our bookshelves. The author has truly experienced the Grand Canyon in ways very few people have and takes you from the river to the rim. He has done extensive research on the history of the Colorado River, from early to current explorers and Native Americans, river guides, long-distance hikers, the geology and the dams, and preservation. He shares all of this and the perils and pleasures of being on the water (Emerald Mile) and on the land in his challenging 750-mile hiking odyssey (A Walk in the Park). His personal experience, lack of experience, and wit make both of these books very engrossing reads.
Author Fedarko’s books have also inspired my curiosity to learn more about the Grand Canyon. We just happen to have another book in our New Book area by photographer and author Dave Showalter, “Living River: The Promise of the Mighty Colorado.” Colorful photos and maps enhance the text that explores the watershed of the Colorado River’s 1,450-mile journey from the headwaters in Wyoming to the Gulf of Mexico. Topics explored include the tributaries, wildlife, human and agricultural demands, water rights, and conservation and preservation of this important and beautiful resource of the American West.
If you are planning on visiting the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend reading these books and checking out some of our other books on the Grand Canyon, John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Canyon, and the Colorado River to truly appreciate your experience.