Quicksand and Blue Springs: Exploring the Little Colorado River Gorge [Paperback]

Stephen West Cole (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Vishnu Temple Press (July 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967459583
• ISBN-13: 978-0967459585
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,590,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid descriptions, humor and history., August 12, 2006

By 

Canyonjo (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quicksand and Blue Springs: Exploring the Little Colorado River Gorge (Paperback)

The author does a terrific job of describing his treks and the area. With artful prose, he winds his narrative through his experience and historical Grand Canyon events as the reader treads with him down the beautiful and wild Little Colorado River Gorge and on separate occasions, up tributary side canyons. While he does a good job of illustrating the wildness of the place with descriptions, he also peppers (or is that "sands"?) his accounts with humor. It isn't a guidebook, but it would be a must-read for anyone attempting the trek. It is, however, just as entertaining for someone who will never try it. I did find myself wishing for a serif typeface and clearer photos, but the book is wonderful and easy to read, nonetheless.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, November 1, 2006

By 

Michael Hudnall "Dilly Bar" (Phx, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Quicksand and Blue Springs: Exploring the Little Colorado River Gorge (Paperback)

This is an excellent book written in a narrative style rife with humor and wit. I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer that panned the book. The author admits right up front that it not a book for the ultra-experienced canyon hiker; instead the author describes the experience in a way that resonates with the mid-to-novice hiker (or even the completely inexperienced hiker) in a way that piques the imagination of the reader. Many of us would not go on as rigorous a hike as this, and I think the narrative succeeds in dissuading the inexperienced hiker from even attempting this hike. That being said, the book is written in a way that makes the reader relive the experience and identify with the travails of the author. As difficult as this trek is, I know that it is even more dificult to write a great book with style and wisdom. I think Cole succeeds admirably in a way that only a great story teller can.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars little colorado river gorge brought to life, May 26, 2007

By 

Dana Francis (Sterling, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Quicksand and Blue Springs: Exploring the Little Colorado River Gorge (Paperback)

Stephen West Cole has written a delightful account of his experiences through the Little Colorado River Gorge. Throughout his narrative, Cole weaves personal anecdotes (including the Blueberry Newton effect) that are both instructive and humorous. The area is brought to life through Cole's recounting of past events that have occurred in the gorge, such as the 1956 two-plane collision over the Painted Desert. His eye for detail as he traversed the gorge is remarkable; it made me want to take on the challenge of the gorge myself. Zip stove and all! A very readable book.