The Emerald Mile

The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon

De: Kevin Fedarko

Narrado por: Kevin Fedarko

From one of Outside magazine’s “Literary All-Stars” comes the thrilling true tale of the fastest boat ride ever through the Grand Canyon, atop the legendary Colorado River 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—through the heart of the Grand Canyon atop 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.

The Canyon and the Colorado River.

A beautifully written series of stories brought together in one book. It brought the Canyon and the River back to me again.

Absolutely Fascinating

An amazing story weaving a boat, a damn, a river and the Grand Canyon together with true elegance and richness. A remarkable book that transcends being pigeon holed into one genre.

The cadence and skillful vocalization and writing

Definitely like historical stories that inform as well as entertain. So the detail and technical information made the book even more powerful.

very good story

kept me interested the whole time with historical framework and context that made the whole story come alive

How is this not a hit thriller film?!

Kevin Fedarko’s “Emerald Mile” joins the rare pantheon of my listens of hundreds of audiobooks over the last 20+ years in which the author is an incredibly talented writer & narrator. My wife recommended it after reading the book, &, as usual, she was right. An intriguing story written in a way that draws you in with characters you learn to care about accomplishing heroic feats of amazing grit, strength & determination. The writing is genius, weaving an interesting historical foundation with an incredibly action-packed story told in tantalizing bits woven together & spiced with a wry sense of humor.
I somtetimes drag out listening to excellent titles to prolong the experience & delay gratification. “The Emerald Mile” is the first book I was so enraptured by that I stopped listening with 2 hours to go & shifted to another book. I bought the hardcover book to appreciate the photos, & started alternating reading & then listening.
How is this not a hit movie?
My other favorite author/narrators are:
Steven King- “Fairy Tale.”
Neil Gaiman- “Fragile Things” & many others as part of a cast.
Robin Wall Kimmerer- “Braiding Sweetgrass...”
Ed Yong’s- “An Immense World...”
Merlin Sheldrake’s- “Entangled Life…”
Once again, I am so grateful for my Audible membership.