From one of Outside magazine’s “Literary All-Stars†comes the thrilling true tale of the fastest boat ride ever; down the entire length of the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon; during the legendary flood of 1983.In the spring of 1983; massive flooding along the length of the Colorado River confronted a team of engineers at the Glen Canyon Dam with an unprecedented emergency that may have resulted in the most catastrophic dam failure in history. In the midst of this crisis; the decision to launch a small wooden dory named “The Emerald Mile†at the head of the Grand Canyon; just fifteen miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam; seemed not just odd; but downright suicidal. The Emerald Mile; at one time slated to be destroyed; was rescued and brought back to life by Kenton Grua; the man at the oars; who intended to use this flood as a kind of hydraulic sling-shot. The goal was to nail the all-time record for the fastest boat ever propelled—by oar; by motor; or by the grace of God himself—down the entire length of the Colorado River from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead. Did he survive? Just barely. Now; this remarkable; epic feat unfolds here; in The Emerald Mile.
#3080028 in Books Irwin John P 2008-06-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .42 x 6.00l; .56 #File Name: 1436311357166 pagesA Quaker Soldier in the Civil War
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Quaker Soldier In The Civil War: Letters From the FrontBy CustomerThis book is a collection of letters from the front lines of the Civil War by a Quaker who gave up pacifism in order to combat the greater evil of slavery. The author adds in explanations to help the layman understand the authors family and background to make this a very useful and enjoyable read.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Stepping back in history to find the presentBy Melissa K."He never wavered in his conviction that the war had a righteous goal; that of overcoming slavery."This is John (Jack) Irwin's second delve into the genre of nonfiction/military. The first was Another River; Another Town: a Teenage Tank Gunner Comes of Age in Combat. In A Quaker Soldier in the Civil War; Irwin draws from letters preserved in his own family.A Quaker soldier is paradoxical; as probable as the reverent atheist or the selfless politician. This is exactly why Jack is the best person to tell readers the story. As a former professor of philosophy; he is fearless in tackling a contradiction.From the preface: "He had to choose between two Quaker principles: pacifism and the opposition to slavery in any form. And his choice; once he made it; was irrevocable. He never wavered in his conviction that the war had a righteous goal; that of overcoming slavery. Yet; his letters hint of no malice toward his enemy."Lt. John F. Irwin was a prolific letter writer and offers his family (and us today) the soldier's insight. Not much changes. The food on the battlefield is horrible; and troops are forever tormented by rumors.
