A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
Original price was: $32.50.$19.89Current price is: $19.89.
Price: $32.50 - $19.89
(as of Nov 11, 2024 05:22:15 UTC – Details)
“A triumph. Fedarko doesn’t describe awe; he induces it.” —The New York Times Book Review * “Passionate…memorable…life-affirming.” —The Wall Street Journal
From the author of the beloved bestseller The Emerald Mile, a rollicking and poignant account of an epic 750-mile odyssey, on foot, through the heart of America’s most magnificent national park and the grandest wilderness on earth.
Two friends, zero preparation, one dream. A few years after quitting his job to follow an ill-advised dream of becoming a guide on the Colorado River, Kevin Fedarko was approached by his best friend, National Geographic photographer Pete McBride, with a vision as bold as it was harebrained. Together, they would embark on an end-to-end traverse of the Grand Canyon, a journey that, McBride promised, would be “a walk in the park.” Against his better judgment, Fedarko agreed, unaware that the small cluster of experts who had completed the crossing billed it as “the toughest hike in the world.”
The ensuing ordeal, which lasted more than a year, revealed a place that was deeper, richer, and far more complex than anything the two men had imagined—and came within a hair’s breadth of killing them both. They struggled to make their way through a vertical labyrinth of thousand-foot cliffs and crumbling ledges where water is measured out by the teaspoon and every step is fraught with peril—and where, even today, there is still no trail along the length of the country’s best-known and most iconic park.
Along the way, veteran long-distance hikers ushered them into secret pockets, invisible to the millions of tourists gathered on the rim, where only a handful of humans have ever laid eyes. Members of the canyon’s eleven Native American tribes brought them face-to-face with layers of history that forced them to reconsider myths at the center of our national parks—and exposed them to the threats of commercial tourism. Even Fedarko’s dying father, who had first pointed him toward the canyon more than forty years earlier but had never set foot there himself, opened him to a new way of seeing the landscape.
And always, there was the great gorge itself: austere and unforgiving but suffused with magic, drenched in wonder, and redeemed by its own transcendent beauty. A singular portrait of a sublime place, A Walk in the Park is a deeply moving plea for the preservation of America’s greatest natural treasure.
From the Publisher
Publisher : Scribner (May 28, 2024)
Language : English
Hardcover : 512 pages
ISBN-10 : 1501183052
ISBN-13 : 978-1501183058
Item Weight : 1.2 pounds
Dimensions : 6 x 1.5 x 9 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book great, interesting, and educational. They praise the writing quality as beautiful, excellent, and vivid. Readers describe the story as compelling and engaging. They appreciate the historical facts and mention the book combines deep history with personal stories.
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12 reviews for A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
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Original price was: $32.50.$19.89Current price is: $19.89.
hotskoz –
So much more than I ever expected from a book
I am writing this review halfway through reading the book. Wow, this book is so much more than just a crazy, seemingly impossible, “adventure”. This book is history, culture, prose, story and so much more with just a bit of self deprecation thrown in the mix. Some of the best writing I have encountered, each word selected with care.Most would have given up on this journey at the first sign it seemed impossible. The sheer tenacity of Fedarko and his travel partners, coupled with their ability to fully accept the humility the canyon demanded of them, are testament to the sheer grit they possess to overcome seeming impossible odds. Fedarko is not remiss in also accounting for those who tried before them and were fully consumed by the weather whims and hazards of the canyon.I appreciated the addition of the cultural ways of the indigenous people who still call the canyon home, once in much larger numbers, the ancient evidence of their lives scattered up and down the canyon. Fedarko’s writing gives complete respect to these people who not just overcame the challenges of the canyon but still thrive in its sometimes life threatening environment. This does not read like the typical trail journal. There is much in this book beyond just the actual journey. In my opinion, it is great reading for all.
C Polito –
Super entertaining & I learned a lot about grand canyon
Very interesting book and extremely well-written. It was easy to read all 500 pages because itâs so entertaining and informative. The writer is very talented.
Dangerfield –
Exciting adventures
I got tired just reading about these challenging and dangerous treks through the entire length of the Grand Canyon. As contrasted with books like A Walk in the Woods, which was written mostly for laughs, this book communicates the wonder, beauty and danger of long-distance hiking with just enough humor to keep it light. Though it tends to be overwritten in places, it’s a must for hikers everywhere.
M. Mynier –
Really good book!
This book is a really good story, especially if youâre a hiker. Very well written and great detail about these two guysâ adventure and the history of our beloved Grand Canyon. . And it WAS quite an achievement! Iâm going to share this book with all my friends!
Scott Kahney –
Awesome story. Terrible quality physical book
I was super excited to see that Kevin Fedarko wrote a book about his Grand Canyon walk. I donât usually buy brand new hardcover books, but I was too excited to wait for the paperback.The story, as expected, is captivating and amazing. I highly recommend it. The author tells a great story and blends adventure with natural history very well, just like in The Emerald Mile.The physical book, however, leaves much to be desired. I have never seen such a poorly constructed book in my life. The pages are very thin and many pages are miss cut. They were folded multiple times in the production process and then miss cut. When you unfold them, they stick out beyond the sides of the book. I was very disappointed with the quality of the book itself. At this point, I realize Amazon would return it, but itâs really not worth the hassle. All the words were on the pages. Unfortunately, the pages stuck out beyond the edges of the book. Iâm not sure who was in charge of quality control for this. I guess Iâll place the blame on Scribner (the publisher).I added one picture as an example of the miss cut pages. This, unfortunately, occurred many times and really distracted from the quality of the book itself.I still gave the book 5 stars because most people will be looking for reviews about the story not the quality of the physical product. if this is a concern for you, however, you may want to wait for the paperback version. Youâll save money and probably get a better book.
paul r. –
WONDERFUL, and so well written!!
A WALK IN THE PARK grabbed me from the start. Earlier I’d read one review complaining about the author’s over use of descriptive words, but I can honestly say that his word pictures were just amazing, and, for me, the entire book flowed seamlessly from cover to cover. I will NEVER look at nor think about the Grand Canyon in the the same way again. If you have an interest in the outdoors, hiking, history of the southwest, Native American culture, or this magnificent part of the world, you will be in for a grand, wonderful treat!. It’s the best book I’ve read this year.
John Harley Seidel –
Lovely
For lovers of the wild places this book is a welcome addition to your bookshelf. The writing is luminous, sprinkled with history, packed with stories and characters that will make you want to follow in their footsteps.The power of words on paper never ceases to amaze and please me.51 years ago, I hiked down the Bright Angel Trail, across the bridge to the north side of the river, then laterally and up a canyon where I spent the night. In the morning, I hiked back across the bridge and up Bright Angel Trail to the south rim dusted with snow. I am haunted by the beauty of that time. I revere the Grand Canyon. I never returned to the depths of the canyon. I always meant to, but life interfered. In Books, in adventures, written and photographed, I find great joy.
Brian –
Interesting style
Alberto –
A breathtaking journey into the wild beauty and into himself.
Mariam Kobras –
Zu Fuà durch den Grand Canyon… ein echter Lebenstraum! Fedarko nimmt uns mit aus dem Smog verseuchten Pittsburgh in die heiÃe, flirrende Luft in den Tiefen des Grand Canyon und führt uns durch eine fremdartige, fast auÃerirdische Landschaft. Seine Erzählung ist wunderbar, manchmal sogar poetisch, ohne die harsche Natur zu beschönigen, oder die Lebensbedingungen der Native Americans, die um den Erhalt der Ursprünglichkeit kämpfen und weitere ErschlieÃung für den Tourismus ablehnen. Wirklich ein groÃartiges Buch.
OB –
It starts off a little like one of Redmond O’Hanlon’s travel books from 30 years ago, and I worried that it might be a bit one note, with its premise of two idiots tackling one of the greatest hikes on earth. But it opens up into a wise, moving, funny and passionate exploration not just of the Grand Canyon, but of the people that live around it, its history, its future, its geology, its wildlife and much more. Highly recommended.
Marie W –
I really enjoyed reading about the Grand Canyon. I’ve been there a couple times and haven’t made it past the bright angel trail, but I will never forget the immensity and silence of one of the world’s greatest wonders. I really enjoyed reading about Kevin’s travels through the canyon. I felt like I was travelling along with him without the hardships they endured. I also enjoyed reading about the history and the connection that the native peoples have with this amazing place. Great read!