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A RIVER RUNNING WEST: THE LIFE OF JOHN WESLEY POWELL

by: Donald Worster

A vividly written biography of a great American explorer & environmental pioneer by one of America’s pre-eminent historians. Powell led the expedition that put the Colorado River on American maps & revealed the Grand Canyon to the world. 55 halftones, line drawings & line illus, 4 maps; 6×9 inches, 688 pgs.

0-19-515635-8
978-0-19-515635-5
Softcover
11-14-2002
Western Americana & Frontier

$25.95

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Books of Donald Worster
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Overview

A magisterial, beautifully written work by one of the most highly acclaimed historians in America. A sweeping narrative of the life and times of a pioneering explorer and conservationist. The last major biography of Powell was written by Wallace Stegner fifty years ago (Beyond the 100th Meridian).

If the word “hero” still belonged in the historian’s lexicon, it would certainly be applied to John Wesley Powell. Intrepid explorer, careful scientist, talented writer, and dedicated conservationist, Powell led the expedition that put the Colorado River on American maps and revealed the Grand Canyon to the world. Now comes the first biography of this towering figure in almost 50 years–a book that captures his life in all its heroism, idealism, and ambivalent, ambiguous humanity.

HONORS:
A Best Book of 2001 by The Los Angeles Times
Selected as a Library Journal Best Book of 2001

REVIEWS:
‘Review from other book by this author Worster writes vividly … much of his material is carefully deconstructed documentation and if the quotations read as larger than life, so were the key actors … it is for the reviewer (a scientist) to muse, after completing this magnificent and significant text, that the true value of Worster’s critique is for all our futures, under scenarios of climate change and population growth.’ ‘ – Malcolm Newson, Ecumene

“A vividly written biography of a great American explorer and environmental pioneer by one of America’s pre-eminent historians.” –Donald Worster, Hall Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Kansas

“It’s a case of man and mountain matching one another: Donald Worster is one of the finest American historians of his generation, and John Wesley Powell one of the most impressive Americans of his time. This book is very accessible, very thorough, and very welcome.” — Larry McMurtry, author of Lonesome Dove, Crazy Hose, and Roads

“In this superb book, Worster backs up his claims about the depth and breadth of Powell’s vision as ‘one of the leading interpreters of the West, an influential voice on its land and water issues as well as its treatment of indigenous peoples.’ Worster captures Powell’s rich life and the life of a nation struggling to come to grips with its vast resources.” —Audobon

Details

ISBN: 0-19-515635-8
Publisher: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Publish Date: 11-14-2002

“A RIVER RUNNING WEST: THE LIFE OF JOHN WESLEY POWELL”

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