Grand
Canyon, The Complete Guide: Grand Canyon National Park ,
by James Kaiser
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storm clears over the Grand Canyon
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Nankoweap
Rafts on the Colorado River
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In 1980, I had the marvelous opportunity to spend
32 days inside the Grand Canyon, and as a result, I have since
fancied myself to be a knowledgeable visitor to this amazing
national park. But a brand new 3rd edition to a popular guidebook
by James Kaiser has opened my eyes to parts of the canyon
that I was unaware of. Kaiser's stunning photography can be
found on nearly every page, and even if you never read a single
word of text, just viewing this book is mind-blowing. He has
captured the essence of this place through the lens of his
cameras in remarkable fashion. The quality of the light in
the inner canyon has always fascinated me, and Kaiser's photos
have managed to capture some of ethos of the place.
In addition to enjoying the visual feast, I found
Kaiser's simple prose arresting and informative. In particular,
I liked his section on history and the varied characters who
have lived and worked in the Grand Canyon. Just one of the
things I learned from this book was the existence of the small
Hopi village of Oraibi. Located about eighty miles east of
the Grand, it is the oldest continuously occupied town in
the Unites States. Oraibi has been "in business"
for over 800 years.
But the true value of the various guide books
that this author has written lies in the mapping and trail
descriptions of the various sections of the park. In the first
book of this series that I reviewed, Acadia:
The Complete Guide, I commented about the author's
choice not to include lodging details. There is no such omission
in this book on the Grand Canyon. The author provides sufficient
details about all forms of camping and motel lodging to enable
visitors to make their best choice. Kaiser also provides solid
and useful information about the geology and ecology of this
stunningly beautiful and complex place.
The book provides in-depth information for visitors
wishing to explore both the south and north rims, the Colorado
River and Havasu Falls. After reading this book, I long for
the day when I can return to the Grand Canyon and go wandering
for a couple of weeks. I have never taken the Cape Final Trail
on the north rim, or climbed down the slippery ladders to
Mooney Falls in Havasu Canyon, but after reading this book
those places are on my must-see list.
Teddy Roosevelt once called the Grand Canyon
"the one great sight that every American should see,"
and this award-winning guide book is the one you ought to
have with you when you plan your own "Grand experience."
Mark
Sedenquist
9/2/07
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