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The promise of the Grand Canyon : John Wesley Powell's perilous journey and his vision for the American West  Cover Image Book Book

The promise of the Grand Canyon : John Wesley Powell's perilous journey and his vision for the American West / John F. Ross ; map illustrations by Jeffrey L. Ward.

Ross, John F., 1958- (author.). Ward, Jeffrey L., (cartographer.).

Summary:

When John Wesley Powell became the first person to navigate the entire Colorado River, through the Grand Canyon, he completed what Lewis and Clark had begun nearly 70 years earlier -- the final exploration of continental America. The son of an abolitionist preacher, a Civil War hero (who lost an arm at Shiloh), and a passionate naturalist and geologist, in 1869 Powell tackled the vast and dangerous gorge carved by the Colorado River and known today (thanks to Powell) as the Grand Canyon. Powell was a scientist, bureaucrat, and land-management pioneer who began a national conversation about sustainable development when most everyone else still looked upon land as an inexhaustible resource. Though he supported irrigation and dams, his prescient warnings forecast the 1930s dust bowl and the growing water scarcities of today. Practical, yet visionary, Powell didn't have all the answers, but was first to ask the right questions.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780525429876
  • ISBN: 0525429875
  • Physical Description: xv, 381 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm
  • Publisher: New York, New York : Viking, [2018]

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 343-365) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
Introduction -- Into the cauldron -- Osage oranges and pink muckets -- Thinking bayonets -- First thoughts west -- Descent -- The canyon -- Encore -- Fighting the national surveys -- A radical idea -- Taking over Washington -- A tough opponent -- Last stand -- Epilogue.
Subject: Powell, John Wesley, 1834-1902 > Biography.
Powell, John Wesley, 1834-1902 > Travel > Colorado River (Colo.-Mexico)
Canyons > Colorado River (Colo.-Mexico) > History > 19th century.
Explorers > West (U.S.)
Soldiers > United States > Biography.
Scientists > United States > Biography.
Grand Canyon (Ariz.) > Discovery and exploration.
West (U.S.) > Discovery and exploration.

Available copies

  • 8 of 8 copies available at Sage Library System.
  • 1 of 1 copy available at Columbia Gorge Community College. (Show)
  • 1 of 1 copy available at Columbia Gorge Community College Library. (Show)

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 8 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Circulation Modifier Status Due Date Courses
Columbia Gorge Community College Library US History Ross 2018 (Text) 39705000028596 Main Collection Available -
Baker County Library 978.02 .R824p 2018 (Text) 37814003348365 NON-FICTION Available -
Cook Memorial Library - La Grande 978.02 R824 (Text) 35178001698789 Adult Non-Fiction Available -
Enterprise Public Library 978.02 Ross (Text) 30001000333148 Adult Non-Fiction Available -
Hood River County Library 978.02 ROS 2018 (Text) 33892100548263 Adult Non-Fiction Available -
Ontario Community Library 978.02 ROSS (Text) 33330004385342 Adult Non-Fiction Available -
Pendleton Public Library 978.02 R733 (Text) 37801000609865 Adult Non-Fiction Available -
The Dalles Wasco County Library 978.02 ROS (Text) 33892006383310 Non-Fiction Available -

Summary: When John Wesley Powell became the first person to navigate the entire Colorado River, through the Grand Canyon, he completed what Lewis and Clark had begun nearly 70 years earlier -- the final exploration of continental America. The son of an abolitionist preacher, a Civil War hero (who lost an arm at Shiloh), and a passionate naturalist and geologist, in 1869 Powell tackled the vast and dangerous gorge carved by the Colorado River and known today (thanks to Powell) as the Grand Canyon. Powell was a scientist, bureaucrat, and land-management pioneer who began a national conversation about sustainable development when most everyone else still looked upon land as an inexhaustible resource. Though he supported irrigation and dams, his prescient warnings forecast the 1930s dust bowl and the growing water scarcities of today. Practical, yet visionary, Powell didn't have all the answers, but was first to ask the right questions.

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