Down the Great Unknown - by Edward Dolnick (Paperback)

About the Book

In May 1869, a one-armed Civil War veteran and a ragtag band of nine mountain men embarked on the last great quest in the American West: the fabled Grand Canyon. Drawing on rarely examined diaries and journals, this is the first book to tell the full, dramatic story of John Wesley Powell's expedition. 16-page photo insert. Maps and index.

Book Synopsis

Drawing on rarely examined diaries and journals, Down the Great Unknown is the first book to tell the full, dramatic story of the Powell expedition.

On May 24, 1869 a one-armed Civil War veteran, John Wesley Powell and a ragtag band of nine mountain men embarked on the last great quest in the American West. The Grand Canyon, not explored before, was as mysterious as Atlantis--and as perilous. The ten men set out from Green River Station, Wyoming Territory down the Colorado in four wooden rowboats. Ninety-nine days later, six half-starved wretches came ashore near Callville, Arizona.

Lewis and Clark opened the West in 1803, six decades later Powell and his scruffy band aimed to resolve the West's last mystery. A brilliant narrative, a thrilling journey, a cast of memorable heroes--all these mark Down the Great Unknown, the true story of the last epic adventure on American soil.

From the Back Cover

0n May 24, 1869, a one-armed Civil War veteran named John Wesley Powell and a ragtag band of nine mountain men embarked on the last great quest in the American West. No one had ever explored the fabled Grand Canyon; to adventurers of that era it was a region almost as mysterious as Atlantis -- and as perilous.

The ten men set out down the mighty Colorado River in wooden rowboats. Six survived. Drawing on rarely examined diaries and journals, Down the Great Unknown is the first book to tell the full, true story.

Review Quotes

"Written with authority and zeal, this rich narrative is popular history at its best." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Edward Dolnick's Down the Great Unknown is both good history and a successful adventure yarn." -- Harper's Magazine