The Fastest Ride in History through the Heart of the Grand Canyon 

One of the most worthwhile narratives of adventure I have ever read. Fedarko builds this story with the flurries of history and blizzards of details about factors we couldn’t have begun to calculate, just like the winter delivey of the snow pack that caused the flood. And then his tale crests, just as the summer months create the deluge down the Colorado. As the river explodes down the canyon and picks up the Emerald Mile, Fedarko keeps pace with the furious current as your minds eye paints a moving picture . It’s something of a masterpiece. Very few books do I treasure more. I’m not even a boatman.

I've never held my breath so much while reading a book. Such amazing story-telling. The way Fedarko sets everything up, the tempo of his writing, his beautiful mastery of language - this book is nearly impossible to put down. I even let out a cheer at the end, then went back to re-read the first chapter.

A book to be read over and over again

AND PLEASE make this into a movie!

Thank you, Kevin. I read your book 4 years ago and because of your book, I am riding the Colorado in a month. Thank you so much!

Mesmerizing book - couldn't put it down. Not just a story about boats or people but detailed histories and complex philosophies on the satisfactions in life. Full of references, annotated notes, rich descriptive writing... The spirit and theme of the book is as pertinent to mountaineers and other adventurers as it is to fans of the mountain laying down. This is a scholarly work that investigates and communicates the events related to the Glen Canyon Dam in 1983. The author is thorough and objective for the most part until the epilogue allows him more freedom to express his opinions. A must-read for any fan of the Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, and a history of the Colorado River.

This was an amazing book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Love this book. Great adventure. Feels like you are THERE!

This has got to be the best ad ever - and its for a book! It made me go out and buy it (so by definition the ad did its job...). The book is excellent, well worth reading. Unlike some of the other commenters I think the narator is great - yes, his voice is completely over the top, but that's the whole point.

This trip is amazing. I went on this trip for the first time just this year. My father got the permit and we where of for 17 days (with a night float) down this beautiful river. I in joyed every moment. We did have 2 rafts flip ( a 14 footer and a 16 footer.) everyone was ok and it only took about 30 minutes each to get there rafts back up. This trip has some "dudgy" rapids but all of us where ready. This video is very well made. I hope you had fun!

Run the river during the greatest runoff of modern time? Crazy, outrageous, unreasonable, wreckless, dangerous. Possible, worthwhile to just this few. Why climb the highest mountain, trek to the Poles, free solo El Cap, go to the moon? Almost everyone would say can't be done, impossible. That ethereal belief in some men that a thing can be done. That the attempt is worth all and more. Not for glory but glorious in the doing. It is an act of beauty by men unaware of the power it has on the spirits of others. We who are witness to these achievements should humbly acknowledge that there are still giants among men.

No doubt the greatest book trailer I have ever seen. And the book is great too.

I bought it just for that cover shot. Was not disappointed by the rest of the book either!

great book especially if you have been to bottom of the canyon. Great story with lots of history about the Canyon.

Great fun, great read

Exciting real life adventure as well as some interesting history and background on the dam system in the West. Sorry it took me so long to pick up the book.

Best book ever!

Wonderful book!

Illegal, wrongheaded, and glorious

I love these guys there the best!!!!

I'm reading this book. It is a great story.

It would have been nice meet these guys.... There only resume being "I row a boat and want to see the river when it is angry".....no fluff just raw nerve.

Wow I used to think Shoshone on the Colorado was scary to kayak then I see people in a dory going down class -V maybe even class V I can't wait to read this book

Great video, but I don't think the narration was dramatic enough...

R.I.P Wren Thank you for guiding me through the canyon

Read the book!! Fantastic!!

I was there! On a raft-supported kayak group from Minnesota. We were the last group allowed on the river before they shut it down. It was epic, frightening, and awesome. Did I mention frightening?

Such a good book. Im reading it now. Cant be made into a movie just read the book. The book is more about Powell and the history of the canyon than anything else.

Bought it. Read it. Loved it. Ran the Colorado. Under much less duress, of course.

Record still holds. Kayak tried it in 2012 when the runoff was increased out of the dam, but kayaker got hurt on first rapids and had to abandon. The runoff in the spring of 83' was up to 100,000 cfs, therefore the dory was capable of breaking the record. The average speed of the dory back in 83' was 7 mph, the kayaker in 2012 was averaging 11mph. It may have been accomplished had he not got hurt, and had he flawlessly ran the remaining 200+ miles.

Hi! what song is used in this video?

Why would anyone give a thump down?

I do believe you about the full day and 300 gallons of fuel. However , that was on the upstream rum . I'm sorry for the confusion . I didn't realize you rowed that boat UP the canyon . John

I was there, in a canoe.......same time, same place.

"i row a boat and i want to see the river angry" friggen a that made me laugh

We were there as the first chilean kayakers to run it completely

Woah.

All the beautiful chem-trails ,how lovely !

Great book!

What is the song? Artist?

I cannot believe that a row-boat is faster than the 3 jet boats tat went UP the river in 1960

I'm assuming they're excluding kayaks, which have certainly beaten their time.

No doubt, a great story and book by Kevin Fedarko but why didn't you get Sam Elliot to narrate your video instead of the wannabe you chose? He sounds like he just finished announcer school and got his first gig!

really?

I live at the Grand Canyon and love it here. Made by the Hand of God, not sculptured by time.

That dam has destroyed a lot of ecosystems. It should be torn down

Ilegal by USA department of interior 🙊🙉🐵

The largest freestone river in the west is not the Colorado it is the Yellowstone river. No dams!!!!!!!

nope, hasn't happened.

That was some of the worst narration I've ever heard. Sad. It demeans the adventure these guys did. What bloviation!

ЛОДОЧКИ с распашными вёслами- для мощных рек полная глупость...

The most pretentious narration ever made on a movie whatever the interest of the subject! How to be ridicule without really trying!

Read the book!! Fantastic!!