Fedarko earned a Masters of Philosophy in Russian history at Oxford in 1990. This is almost a perfect book it combines the story of an event (a speed-run through the Grand Canyon in a dory) and backstory, both near and old in an extremely readable way. Perhaps even more so as this story focuses on one single individual. Please try again. By kayaks, definitely! When all was said and done, the pent-up fury of the Colorado wreaked havoc on the dam to the tune of $32 million. At normal flows, definitely not. comes the thrilling true tale of the fastest boat . I knew almost nothing about the Grand Canyon or the Colorado River watershed when I picked up this book, now Im swimming in information and loving it! Their aim was to set a speed record for the 277-mile passage, a record that could never be beaten. I also would like to rate this higher. Learn how your comment data is processed. I have no doubt it will become an instant classic, a timeless chronicle of what can still be legitimately called the American spirit." The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the . The challenges faced by kayakers attempting a Grand Canyon speed run are, for the most part, entirely different from those faced by an oar-powered row boat, so much so that it becomes a stretch to compare the two (apples and oranges). Experience a 3 to 7 day expedition filled with whitewater excitement, spectacular waterfalls waterfalls and starry nights. Rapid snowmelt in June of 1983 created the highest water in the Grand Canyon in 25 years, the likes of which hadn't been experienced since before Glen Canyon Dam was built. It was an amazing trip that I hope everyone has an opportunity to experience. Then in 1980 the Bureau achieved its ill-timed goal of filling both reservoirs. He juxtaposes the Glen Canyon Dam engineers' race to avoid catastrophic failures during the huge 1983 spring runoff with what was happening on the river with the many commercial trips caught in big water. I have been hugely privileged enough to do the trip 3 times in my life as a passenger on the big rigs, so it brought me right back there. It's not really a story just about the fastest ride, which is a small part of the book. I find this impressive beyond words, especially compared to us with our 200+ trips of combined Grand Canyon experience at the time of our record run. The 'Emerald Mile' was the prototype and the most famous among the wooden dories that . If you are lucky, you might even feel some of the magic of the Canyon! An epic-sized true-life adventure tale that appeals to both the heart and the head. Well-told, deeply-researched, engaging to re. An informative, compelling, amusing, lyrical and, yes, even spiritual narrative on the magnetic attraction of one of the most perfectly beautiful works of nature on this planetand a cautionary warning of the risks to which it is even now, more perhaps than ever, exposed. In addition to his travel narratives in Outside, where he worked as a senior editor, Fedarkos work has appeared in Esquire, National Geographic Adventure, and other publications, and has been anthologized in The Best American Travel Writing in 2004 and 2006. I didnt find the narrator annoying at all (neither was he fantastic). I was listening ..and I give thanks to Him for helping me fulfill my desire to pay respect to Kenton Grua. I would have rated it higher except for the fact that the first 100 pages were a struggle. For more information please read our. It's a story about how the El Nino event and the inherent wildness of the Colorado River fought against man's attempts to tame the river and almost won, almost causing a huge disaster. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. I wondered if he knew where Gruas grave was. Neither experimental flows nor the big flood were considerations, as at the time these were beyond even our imagination. Highly recommend. Kenton Grua and Georgie White, first professional river guide. One thing Team Beer emphasized was how, for them, making the speed attempt wasnt so much about getting the record as it was about bonding with good friends under very demanding circumstances. Fedarko earned a Masters of Philosophy in Russian history at Oxford in 1990. A great read. Not to mention I live next to Glen Canyon Dam and love Lees Ferryso, this book Gripped me hard too! The saga of "The Emerald Mile" is a thrilling adventure, as well as a magisterial portrait of the hidden kingdom of white water at the bottom of the greatest river canyon on earth. Just reading the account had me on pins and needles and induced tachycardia. Each piece of the extensive back story is assembled as lyrically as the epoch-spanning walls of the canyon itself and as assuredly as the soaring concrete face of its dams. Matt and Ben could intermittently relax their minds because of so much flat water, but not their bodies. Author: Kevin Fedarko Genre: Nature, Travel, Sports & Recreation, History Topic: Rudi Petschek on the river. We are sorry. Best book about a true story that I've read in a long time! That trip was something I will never forget. On the other hand, the physical demands on a record-breaking kayaker on a continuous 277 mile run through Grand Canyon are such that they require a top-rated athlete in peak condition performing at 100 percent. First, high praise for Kevin Fedarko! The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water, Revised Edition. finished it and I am exhausted - what a beautifully crafted story, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2017, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2014, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2015, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2014, Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2020, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Scribner; Reprint edition (July 1, 2014). The Emerald Mile is so much more than the epic tale of the 1983 dory speed run through the Grand Canyon, though that adventure is brilliantly told. I picked up this book for my teenage son while my husband and I visited the Grand Canyon. The author personally knew most of the "characters" that appear in this well researched, beautifully written, appropriately humorous expose on all things Grand Canyon. And even if your acquaintance with the two is fleeting (as is mine), you may want to read this thorough account of a speed run down the Colorado River in 1983 after one of the biggest water years in the western. I almost didn't finish this book. Now, this remarkable, epic feat unfolds here, in The Emerald Mile. Deseret News"The Emerald Mile is the rarest of creationsa magical convergence of words and paper, wood and water, rock and sky, human character and cosmic caprice. Last June, I went and listened as Kevin Fedarko gave us a presentation and overview of the Emerald Mile. Last June, I went and listened as Kevin Fedarko gave us a presentation and overview of the Emerald Mile. The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the man . Am a water engineer, and know what makes a 20 foot standing wave. I had no idea all that was happening in the '80's. The saga of The Emerald Mile is a thrilling adventure, as well as a magisterial portrait of the hidden kingdom of white water at the bottom of the greatest river canyon on earth. The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the . In the spring of 1983, massive flooding along the length of the Colorado River confronted a team of engineers at the Glen Canyon Dam with an unprecedented emergency that may have resulted in the most catastrophic dam failure in history. He absolutely devoured this book. In the spring of 1983, massive flooding along the l Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. This one is, and Fedarkos book is as inspiring as a dory itself, flying down a wild river. There is a Kindle version on Amazon for The Emerald Mile. Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022. -- Hampton Sides , editor-at-large at Outside magazine and author of Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers, lives in northern New Mexico and works as a part-time river guide in Grand Canyon National Park. Long story short, in 1983 Kenton and two friends secretly launched their boat at midnight during a historical 'superstorm' and went on to successfully set a new Grand Canyon speed record. Plans were limited to the highest releases that occurred regularly each summer. Durango Telegraph"His poetic and descriptive writing should only brighten his accolades and helps his non-fiction book read like a fast-paced fiction adventureIt isn't necessary to be a history buff or whitewater expert to enjoy this story With meticulous research, notes and epilogue, Fedarko tells a satisfying story that is quite an entertaining ride." I knew almost nothing about the Grand Canyon or the Colorado River watershed when I picked up this book, now Im swimming in information and loving it! Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. This is a story of a super-man deliberately pushing himself physically to his limits, which the Emerald Mile story is not. Almost cancelled the trip as a result. First, you cup a hand in the river and run the water over the back of your neck and face to reduce the cold shock of whats coming. "The Emerald Mile" by Kevin Fedarko is now on my short list of all-time favorite books, 5 stars plus! https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Mile-Fastest-History-Through-ebook/dp/B00ALYY6W8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1613844144&sr=8-1. Wed love your help. Specifically, this book is about the 1983 flood that washed down the Colorado Basin into Lake Powell, forcing a massive, unprecedented flood down the Colorado River and through Grand Canyon. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. The night sky is so much better than anything I could have imagined. This is a great story interrupted for most of the book by endless meandering. In the midst of this crisis, the decision to launch a small wooden dory named "The Emerald Mile" at the head of the Grand Canyon, just fifteen miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam, seemed not just odd, but downright suicidal. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. Slept under the stars every night and cruised, swam and hiked during the day. The boat flipped in a mammoth incarnation of Crystal Rapid, but through combination of luck and honed whitewater skill, the trio was able to climb back aboard the dory in the runout to the swollen rapid, right it, and go onto set the record time. Enjoy!! Granted, the waters were coming out of the dam at 94,000 cfs rather than 6-8,000 cfs but can't you drown in a bathtub? While some visitors undertake back-country hikes, most people are content to enjoy the views from the South Rim, and do not venture much below the rim. There is also a lot of information about dams and the environmental aspect of building them. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. I've loaned Emerald Mile to my brother, but it's a keeper! Once the book was talking about present day activities the pace picked up and the writing style became more casual. "The Emerald Mile is the rarest of creations-a magical convergence of words and paper, wood and water, rock and sky, human character and cosmic caprice. This was a fantastic book! This is why you remain in the best website to look the amazing books to have. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Emerald Mile, at one time slated to be destroyed, was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua, the man . Amazon has encountered an error. I do remember the thrill it was to stand on the edge of the Canyon as both of Glen Canyon Dams spillways and all 4 jet tubes were roaring down belowTHE WHOLE CANYON SHOOK! . I just completed this Epic Novel on the Grand Canyon Dory speed run in 1983. it was in a wooden dory, with the legendary boatman Kenton Grua, "The Factor" as he was known, and the character at the center of this book. The goal was to nail the all-time record for the fastest boat ever propelledby oar, by motor, or by the grace of God himselfdown the entire length . 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