REVIEWS and Comments
of Big Water, Little Boats by Tom Martin:
from Wayne Ranney, geologist and veteran river guide
Sent: January 2012
WELL WRITTEN, FABULOUSLY RESEARCHED, AND BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED. CONGRATULATIONS!
I am not normally drawn to stories of "who did what, when" regarding the Colorado River or the canyon. Hpwever I found this book and the writing it contained quite excellent and easy on the eyes.
This was a great read! But beyond that, it is a great contribution to the history of the river and the canyon.
I learned things in here that I never knew before and they were placed within a larger story that kept my attention.
I think anyone who reads this book will like it immensely and those who love the Colorado River or the Grand Canyon will want it as part of their personal library.
There is a lot of good, detailed history here that I do not believe has ever been assembled in this way.
As an example, I liked reading about headstands on a cottonwood log in Glen Canyon at 79,000 cfs. That's fun.
I never knew how Keyhole Arch was discovered and that was great to read how it all happened.
Things like this need to be in print and fortunately will now be.
Your level of research is astounding and combined with the literary talent make it a first rate book.
Additionally the photographs are another one of the book's strengths. The story comes alive when read in tandem with the many photos.
Most modern river runners will be unfamiliar with a lot of these and they add to the captivating story.