Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery [Paperback]

Wayne Ranney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 13, 2007

Carving Grand Canyon provides a synopsis of the intriguing ideas and innovative theories that geologists have developed over time. This story of a fascinating landscape is told in an engaging style that nonscientists will find inviting. The story’s end, however, remains a mystery yet to be solved.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Grand Canyon Association (March 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938216821
• ISBN-13: 978-0938216827
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wayne Ranney is a geologist, trail guide, and author who brings the landscape history of our planet to life for interested readers. For over 35 years he has led field trips to Earth's most spectacular places including the Grand Canyon, the Amazon, the North and South Poles, Patagonia, and more than 75 countries. Wayne is an engaging interpreter who shares complex science in an approachable manner. One of his most recent books was co-written with his former geology professor, Dr. Ron Blakey, and is called "Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau". This book won two awards in 2009, "Best Science Book in Arizona", and "Best Large Format Book" from the National Association of Interpretation. It contains stunning maps of the past in the American Southwest and North America. "Carving Grand Canyon" (2005) won many awards as well and tells the story of the many scientific theories that have been advanced in the formation of the great gorge. His latest books are called "Defining The Colorado Plateau: A Geologic Perspective", and "Easy Field Guide to Arizona Landforms". Wayne is actively pursuing other writing opportunities as his readers continually encourage him to tell the story of our planet in more enticing and interesting ways.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grand Canyon, Carved, July 26, 2005

By 

Jeff Strang "Elderhostel Naturalist/Guide" (Flagstaff, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery (Paperback)

We may never know definitively when and how the Colorado River formed and carved the Grand Canyon. This is because after its formation, the river set about removing almost all of the evidence of its early life. This well written and easy to follow new book starts by clearly laying out the history of theories about the origins of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. Next is a discussion of the current ideas about the river and canyon and the most recent evidence and what direction that evidence points. Illustrations throughout the book (Some by the author and some by Bronze Black) do an excellent job of highlighting the text. Carving the Grand Canyon ends with an outline of our current knowledge, and concludes with a concise summary of that outline.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mysteries of the Southwest, June 4, 2005

By 

James D. Bishop "James Bishop Jr." (Sedona, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery (Paperback)

In a world where so many people think they know so much about everything, Wayne Ranney's "Carving the Grand Canyon" is a vivid reminder that coming close to the truth is coming pretty close but it is still not the truth. Truth to tell, we know more about the ice beneath Antartica than we do about how one of the Seven Wonders of the World was created-- The Grand Canyon.
To be sure many theories have been advanced by various advocates of a single theory-- deepening during an ice age, draining of ancient lakes in the Rockies etc. What Ranney, himself a geologist, has achieved is the first book to examine all the theories and find them wanting to one degree or another.
Likening the search for the true cause to three blind men touching an elephant, each finds a part that for them is the truth. But it is not the whole truth. In graceful prose, Ranney tells us that we may never know the whole truth, for as the years tumble by, evidence disappears. An ideal book for geologists and tourists alike about this fantastic, mythical place which British novelist J.B. Priestley called "a sort of landscape Day of Judgment."

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Non-Geologist Convert, August 22, 2005

By 

G. M. Jensen (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery (Paperback)

My interest in geology was sparked when I had the pleasure of hearing Wayne Ranney lecture at the Grand Canyon. As a non-geologist with only a long ago, grade school Earth Science course as a base, I was excited to learn more about our earth from someone who is not only extremely knowledgeable, but knows how to get the point across to one not in the field. Carving Grand Canyon is written as Wayne speaks; it is informative, thought provoking and leaves you eager to learn more. I can not wait to return to the Grand Canyon after reading this inspiring book.