I admit it. I cannot put down a good book about stupid people making bad decisions in a spectacular, and spectacularly dangerous, place. There are a lot of short stories in here about how things went really, really bad for people who were unprepared, stupid, didn't know what they were getting into, or were just pure unlucky.

I saw the book in Flagstaff the day before I started a week long raft trip through the canyon. I decided it was probably a bad idea to read it then. Once I got back however, I did read it and couldn't put it down. It was all the more real for having just been there and having gone through some of the extremes of temperature, rapids, etc. that the unfortunates detailed in the book went through. I was proud of the outfitters staff who had us well prepared.

Anyway if you are entertained by people who took too little water into 125 degree temperatures, or who decided to run the rapids without life jackets, or who may or may not have been murdered by a fiancee, read this book. Obviously it's not for everyone. But I loved it.

I admit it. I cannot put down a good book about stupid people making bad decisions in a spectacular, and spectacularly dangerous, place. There are a lot of short stories in here about how things went really, really bad for people who were unprepared, stupid, didn't know what they were getting into, or were just pure unlucky.

I saw the book in Flagstaff the day before I started a week long raft trip through the canyon. I decided it was probably a bad idea to read it then. Once I got back however, I did read it and couldn't put it down. It was all the more real for having just been there and having gone through some of the extremes of temperature, rapids, etc. that the unfortunates detailed in the book went through. I was proud of the outfitters staff who had us well prepared.

Anyway if you are entertained by people who took too little water into 125 degree temperatures, or who decided to run the rapids without life jackets, or who may or may not have been murdered by a fiancee, read this book. Obviously it's not for everyone. But I loved it.

You have many ways to die in Grand Canyon: fall, jump, get pushed, clown around, drown, starve, thirst, or be in an airliner collision over that vast chasm. Ghighlieri and Myers, a wilderness river guide and a Grand Canyon physician, methodically, graphically, painstakingly document the known deaths by name, date, events leading up to and subsequent rescue and/or recovery efforts. A fascinating read, should be required for anyone planning a visit to such a beautiful and potentially fatal attraction.

You have many ways to die in Grand Canyon: fall, jump, get pushed, clown around, drown, starve, thirst, or be in an airliner collision over that vast chasm. Ghighlieri and Myers, a wilderness river guide and a Grand Canyon physician, methodically, graphically, painstakingly document the known deaths by name, date, events leading up to and subsequent rescue and/or recovery efforts. A fascinating read, should be required for anyone planning a visit to such a beautiful and potentially fatal attraction.

Although it sounds a bit morbid, this book is a very good read. There is a good mix of entertaining anecdotes and statistical analysis. The authors delve into the root causes and chains of events that have led to the hundreds of deaths in the canyon and really drive home the point that people make the same mistakes over and over and over again. If you are thinking about hiking, backpacking, or rafting in the canyon, I highly reccomend reading this book first - it will help you make the right decisions about your time in the canyon.

Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon
Excellent service, great book, well laid out and very informative

I was at the grand canyon when I bought this book-I didnt want to buy it,but a stranger had told me about it,and not wanting to tell a lie in case I ran into this person again (which I did)I picked it up and glanced at the first few chapters-within minutes I was hooked-it is an unbelievable read - to even think about what some of those victims must have gone thru was terrifying-yet it is one of those books that once you start to read it,you can't stop!It made me respect mother nature even more and appreciate the safety rules and regulations the forest service puts up,no matter how trivial it may seem to be.

I have been to the Grand Canyon more than once. In fact, I bought this book from one of the stores in the park on the rim. I too, could not put it down. I have told numerous people about the book and recommended it to friends and associates and anyone visiting the canyon for the first time. This book is NOT fiction folks, it is the real deal. It absolutely amazes me some of the ways people have died here. EVERY conceivable way is mentioned. It , in a way seems morbid to some degree, kind of like reading detective magazines or something, like my Grandpa used to do. But once into the first few pages you realize, that it is not just about death , but about living too. People that have come to see the awe of the Grand Canyon and its life and their lives intermingling. What's unfortunate is the complete utter disregard some people have for what is so obvious. Granted, some of the deaths are COMPLETELY accidental, but some are beyond stupid. One that I will mention here is the park WORKER, who had a few drinks , decided to get up on the wall , and fell to their death. The episodes that also got me, are the people who take a bottle of water in the SUMMER in ARIZONA and think they can walk twenty miles of very rough country with no problem...well, many of them found out , or were able to look down from heaven and realize what a bad mistake they made. While shocking , this is also an instructional manual for anyone who goes. Moms, Dads, Kids...please think twice before posing for that picture with your back to the Canyon...and be EXTRA careful where you place your feet! GREAT READ.

I don't know why I was attracted to this book...I've never even seen the Grand Canyon. I guess we all are fascinated by fate and death and bizarre stories while we are sitting safe. I enjoyed this book at first and then as the chapters went by, I started to do a bit of skimming. Each chapter has a theme (falling, suicide, murder, etc.) which was intriguing. However once I read a few stories of each, I felt that I could skim the rest and move onto the next chapter. I did like how at the end of each chapter they listed all the stats of the poor people who lost their lives. What are the odds that two large airlines would collide over the Grand Canyon??? What a way to go; poor souls.

I did like the writing and the humor, despite the sad topic. I do know that if I ever go to the Grand Canyon, no one is getting me to back up to take my picture!

I could not put this book down...It is like one dramatic story after another..Most of the tales are just unimagineable..I love the Grand Canyon and this book is an eye opener....You will not believe what you read..The Canyon not only holds awesome beauty its holds many other tales...You have to read this book!

I bought this book when it first came out. At that time I was living and working in the park. It is amazing how many people don't use common sence when on vacation. I think that the 1st chapter should be handed out at the gate as a warning to all tourist who enter the park!

Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon I could not put this book down, staying up way into the night engrossed in the fascinating tales of evil intrigues or foolish one-way adventures, unseen falls, bombings, suicides, and (worst of all as a mom to read) a parking-brake tragedy.

I copy what good things others have said about this book. But would add, if you are a mother, do not read this book before you go or your kids will never see the Canyon. But DO know your kids: if they do not heed your voice, think twice about taking them. That said, there is a part of the book that emphasizes that more adults have fallen than kids, perhaps (the author suggests) because kids take fewer risks.

If you plan to hike down the canyon, DEFINITELY read this book. It could save your life. Most of the deaths were due to a series of uninformed ignorant decisions by the hikers. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

This book caught my eye in the gift shop at the Grand Canyon. I couldn't help myself from buying it. Most are curious - this book tells the story.

The stories are well-told. You can easily imagine yourself in the same predicaments. But beyond just a morbid tale is a lesson to be learned. I had no idea that this book would give me a greater respect for the Grand Canyon, but it most certainly did. This book will warn anyone willing to listen that the Canyon can kill you in a dozen different ways. I will place every step more carefully during future visits.

I began reading it and could not put it down. I looked up pictures of places the book described. When I was finished reading this book, it made its way through about 9 other people without me having to describe it.

This book was very well-written by those who care about human life. The writing style makes you able to imagine yourself as a medical or rescue professional arriving on scene to put human beings back together, only to find yourself telling others why you couldn't save a life, and how senseless people can be.

Fascinating.

A very well written account of the stupidity and plain bad luck of people who were killed in the Grand Canyon by various run ins with the nature of the canyon.
Having walked from the south rim to the north rim and back myself, and experiencing the 115 degree heat, running out of food and water too soon, the dizzying, dazzling vistas, and actually having the sole of my hiking boot break off, and having to walk 3/4 of the canyon looking for socks on the trail to put over my boot, and borrowing duct tape from a ranger, and suffering from near hypothermia as we battled back up to the South rim, from Indian gardens in a drenching cold rain...It really brought back memories, and realizations of the close possibility of being a statistic. There for the grace of God go I.
What a great book... I havn't read one like this in a long time. I literaly cannot stop reading it.
I hope these guys right a sequel..

While the topic of this book might seem morbid, it really is a fascinating and instructive set of essays on human behavior. Well-researched and engaging, this revised and updated edition recounts stories of what most often amount to tragic tales of sheer human stupidity.

What really resonates most strongly is the authors' desire to communicate that the Grand Canyon is not some man-made, man-controlled theme park, but instead a heartbreakingly beautiful and very dangerous natural phenomenon, to be treated with reverence and caution.

The final chapter on murder reads like a historical thriller, unearthing mysteries that have been embedded in the canyon for over a hundred years. But the authors never rely on sensationalism. Instead, they share eyewitness accounts and solid research that reveal many secrets of the canyon, only to show that there are many more buried below.

When I was at the Grand Canyon a year ago I saw this book in a gift shop, at the hotel. I thought, "Na...too morbid". I am now planning on hiking down with a friend later next year and I got this book along with several "how to" guides for hiking in the GC. Both authors are experienced witnesses of the many accounts that are cited. I am not finished with the book yet but Ghiglieri works at a local medical clinic and has seen many emergencies, while Myers is an experienced boatman and river guide. A great read and essential for trip knowledge before you set out on your next hike!

Despite the title, "Death in Grand Canyon", this book by Ghiglieri and Myers is neither gory nor macabre. It is a fascinating account of the truly idiotic, careless, unprepared, and misguided (figuratively and literally) people who over the past hundred years or so have met their maker in the Grand Canyon by various means including:
falling, jumping, hiking, swimming, boating and flying over and in the Grand Canyon.
Their are some truly interesting stories of survival mixed in with the hundreds of deaths documented over the years. It is enjoyable, easy reading.
Kudos to the National Park Service rangers who have to put their lives on the line to try to rescue the unfortunate victims and to Ghiglieri and Myers for a great book.

I stopped reading it about half way through as I just thought the stories of death were poorly organized, and the writing didn't seem to flow well for me, I started to find it boring. However, I did find it interesting to see how people died and found that by far and away it was people who weren't respecting the danger of the canyon. I took that to heart when I hiked to the bottom of the canyon about a year after reading the book. BTW: hiking the canyon was one of the greatest experiences of my life! And I didn't die.

We have a trip planned to hike into the canyon. I wanted everyone to be aware of the dangers and I think this book does a good job of presenting those dangers. I'll write more later...if we make it out!

Lots of fresh air, dizzying heights, tons of sunshine, and a great volume of running water. Many tales of outdoor Hubris, and plain lack of research and planning. In the Canyon it gets really, really hot in the summer, and flash floods can occur as a result of rainstorms that are far away, and so not seen. And let's not forget rafting on the potentially dangerous Colorado river. If it weren't for the Park Rangers many more deaths would occur. A real page turner, as well as a heads-up to keep your wits about you when venturing into the wilds. And I haven't even gotten up to the parts about suicide and murder.

These are fascinating tales of idiocy and unfortunate mishap in the Grand Canyon. From failed rafting attempts, to hikers failing to realize that going down is easy, but climbing out is hard, to...

peeing over the edge. The highest proportion of deaths come from the category of young males(under 25 if I remember right). It is strongly suspected this is due to young men's fascination with peeing over the edge.

People treat the Grand Canyon like Disneyland and pay the price. It's like a horror movie where the stupid person fails to heed all the warnings and pays the ultimate price.

Fascinating.

The style of narrative vignettes is very engaging. The book is fascinating for the insight the authors provide into the human psyche. It is heartbreaking from the point of view that these accidents (many very avoidable) did not need to occur. If you read the annual Accidents in North America Mountaineering you would enjoy this book.

I'm not quite finished with this book yet but I anticipate it will continue to be an excellent read. I'm an avid outdoorsman and enjoy spending time hiking, camping, etcetera. I also have the morbid side of me that likes to read true life tales of mystery, murder and all manner of deaths. So this book was a perfect fit. It's well written, full of historical facts, and made me realize that next time I go back to the Grand Canyon to do more hiking, I better take it more seriously than I may have in the past.

Since I had just been to the Grand Canyon I had seen the book there for twice the price and also since it is a thick book was not convenient to put in suitcase.

Don't let the name fool you, this is a great read, very hard to put down. Myers gives you facts, keeps you interested and even throws in a smile or two. Very enjoyable book.

We are going to the Grand Canyon this year, and this book gave us a new perspective on this fantastic, yet dangerous place. The stories are brief, detailed, and well written. It is a huge book with several hundred pages. Well organized. I highly recommend this book. I could not put it down and finished it in two weeks. I am looking forward to our trek into the canyon. I will be looking for all of the fatality locations...

I thought the book was fascinating and my husband liked it, too! It certainly gave me a healthy new respect for the perils of nature and man's limitations in dealing with it. It should be required reading for all visitors. From a nurse's standpoint I think the authors did a great job explaining things, like the effects of dehydration, in a way that most people could understand and benefit from if they knew them before they visited. Buy it because it's a compelling read. I read it aloud to my husband as we crossed western Kansas on the way home from the Canyon. The time flew by and we got lots of good information and advice in the bargain.

I purchased this book after climbing out of the Grand Canyon, concluding my 3 day hike from the North to the South rim. I found the book very interesting; enjoying the detailed accounts of deaths attributed to various reasons, including murder, falls, as well as environmental ends. I was very surprised at the number of murders that took place at the famous El Tovar Hotel, located in Grand Canyon Village. For all the deaths that occured in the canyon, I was amazed that there were overall so few, considering the millions that visit each year to view from the rim, and the many (like I) that hike into the canyon. I also was surprised that there were no mule train deaths listed...especially as I was passing them on my hike, I noted how closely the animals walked along the edge! This is definately an interesting read! Even more so if you have visited the canyon.

I purchased this book after climbing out of the Grand Canyon, concluding my 3 day hike from the North to the South rim. I found the book very interesting; enjoying the detailed accounts of deaths attributed to various reasons, including murder, falls, as well as environmental ends. I was very surprised at the number of murders that took place at the famous El Tovar Hotel, located in Grand Canyon Village. For all the deaths that occured in the canyon, I was amazed that there were overall so few, considering the millions that visit each year to view from the rim, and the many (like I) that hike into the canyon. I also was surprised that there were no mule train deaths listed...especially as I was passing them on my hike, I noted how closely the animals walked along the edge! This is definately an interesting read! Even more so if you have visited the canyon.

If you ever get the chance to go to the Big Ditch (aka the Grand Canyon National Park), do so. It is WELL WORTH the trip. I've been twice, including once to see the sunrise over the mountainous gorge. But it was that first trip that was unbelievable.

We stayed in a cheap motel (I'm sure you know the number) in Williams, Arizona, and we hopped a train the fifty or so miles to Big Ditch. As an avid reader, there wasn't much other than sage to see out the window, so I picked up this book. And I simply couldn't put it down.

It tells story after story - every known story in existence, in fact - of those who have met the Grim Reaper in the Canyon. The number one question - by far - is, "How many people have died here?" This book not only answers that most common question, but also tells each known story (or at least the finding of the body) in riveting detail.

I expected it might make me rather sick. In many cases, wasted lives of people who didn't have to die and all too often impaired by the 'two beers' that all DWIs have traditionally had right before getting stopped. It starts with the desperate pleas of a woman who has gone too far as dusk settles in and ends with her lifeless body being put aboard a chopper.

It will captivate you, frighten you, and make you think twice before you do something stupid at the Big Ditch.

HIGHLY recommended.

I purchased this book and was not disappointed one bit! In fact, it kept me highly entertained for a few cross-country flights. The stories are simply written, but absolutely compelling, such as the idiot who jumped off the wall, pretending to fall backwards, and but for a slip backwards, would have enacted a brilliant practical joke on his daughter. Instead, she ignored him, walked home, and then thought, "Hmmmm... I wonder where Dad is?" Um, maybe at the bottom of the canyon? Bingo! And the tales of the macho men who think they can swim across the treacherous, deadly waters of the Colorado are very amusing too. And imagine this: Walking along the shore of the river only to come across a bikini clad skeleton half buried in the sand.

One, after another, after another, this book relates tale after incredible tale of stupid, hapless, weird, bizerk and bizarre accidents in the Grand Canyon. From the photographer who says, "Just take one more step backwards..." and sees his subject fall hundreds of feet over the edge, to the dad who pretends to jump off the ledge to scare his daughter--but loses his footing, this book is incredible. THE BEST THING though, about this book, is there is no BLATHER from the authors. they simply tell each story as it is, one after another after another. We're so used to people taking one of these strange, bizarre events and milking it for a whole book --- well, this book is all meat, no bun....it's hundreds and hundreds of bizarre events knit together into one compelling, can't-put-it-down book!
truth is stranger than fiction. and it makes much better reading~

If you backpack or hike the canyon, mountains, desert or pretty much anywhere on the edge of civilization, you need to read this book. Or if you plan to visit the Grand Canyon and you think it's just another ride at Disneyland and you'll be protected from injury and death by some mysterious force. Not just a list of boring statistics. Well written with a bit of humor.

If your vacation plans include a stop at Grand canyon, either for a short south rim look, or for an extended backpack trip into the inner gorge, this book is a must read. Facts abound in this book. Anyone with a lick of common sense will be shaking their head in amazment at how people put themselves into a position of danger at one of the worlds most breath-taking places. The book is well written, contains not only facts gathered by research, but but hands on "I was there" descriptions. This is a highly regarded book at all the shops that sell books on both rims. Buy it, read it, study it, share it,..Learn and LIVE by it on your next Canyon Visit.

Couldn't put this book down! Instructive and illuminating! Tales and advice can apply to any hiking and biking trips that our family takes in the future.

I was afraid that this book would be a boring, thorough, and complete list of Grand Canyon deaths. It isn't -- except for Chapter 4. With that exception, this book is a complete page-turner, well-written and informative.

Author Ghiglieri, presumably the author of the chapters other than Chapter 4, does an excellent job of picking out representative and illustrative examples from the set of unfortunate incidents within the Grand Canyon. Better yet, he intersperces stories of close-calls where everyone survives with those where all or some of the parties involved don't make it. This tactic kept me on the edge of my seat, trying to predict how and who was going to make it, and what they were doing wrong as they went.

I found the story of a couple from back East who saw the tadpole-infested springs of Grapevine Creek particularly poignant and tragic. Having been there myself nearly out of water, I can't understand why these two hikers not only decided that the water was undrinkable, but furthermore didn't even take some with them just in case. The lessons that we learn in everyday life aren't always applicable to the "real" world, where purified water isn't always available. Desert hikers know that sometimes the only water you have is nasty, brackish, mosquito-infested sludge, and that, furthermore, you're lucky to have it!

Now, about that Chapter 4. . . It is the boring, list-like recitation that I had initially feared upon starting the book. It reads as if Myers took his previous book about river-running incidents and abridged it, careful not to edit anything out or add any big-picture overviews or close-calls. I recommend that you skip it entirely. My enthusiasm from the first 3 chapters nearly pulled me through, but at the expense of my becoming disillusioned with the book. Skip it, and come back to it after finishing the book if you must. That way if you hate it, like I did, it won't ruin your opportunity to enjoy the book's remainder.

It is a most interesting and informative book. It should be read by anyone who has or wants to hike the Grand Canyon. It relates individual stories of people that have died in the Canyon and what they did wrong that caused or contributed to their death. It weaves many of these stories together to create an excellent book that was hard to put down.
The book is written by a experienced river guide and a physician at the Grand Canyon clinic. Both who have many years experience hiking and river running in the Canyon.
There is a morbid interest of how people die in the canyon that causes the reader to begin reading the book. You soon realize that, should you ever hike the canyon, THIS BOOK CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE. I picked up this book in numerous gift shops at the canyon before I finally bought it, and I am so glad I did. We had already hiked the canyon (and come out alive) before I read the book. But now will be even better prepared next time.
I had to take my son to the clinic while we were at the canyon and had the fortune to have Dr. Myers as his physician. He was very pleasent and knowlegeable, reassuring us about our son. He was also gracious enough to sign my book for me, as I had taken it to read while we waited.
I now want to read "Sunk Without a Sound".

GREAT BOOK. They even have this book to read at the Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I read the whole book while taking a day of rest at the bottom of the canyon. Reading these tragic accounts while in the Canyon was a truly eerie experience. My hike back up and out of the Canyon, over the next two days, was VERY careful and serene after having read this book. It should be REQUIRED reading for anyone planning on hiking in Grand Canyon. Excellent book. Ten stars.

Even if you've not been to the Grand Canyon,this book is worth the read. Particularly if you're morbid.

Unfortunately, it seems the true point of this book has been wasted if you refer the 1-star review located below. Do we REALLY need a concise pamplet describing the dangers of the Grand Canyon? Just walk up to any of the guard rails and look down...that was enough for me. Does it really need to be more concise than that? I think the major point that the authors choose to hammer home is very true...most folks who visit these parks today have a Disneyland mentality that they're never far from help or safety or water for that matter. Unfortunately, that's not always true and the result can be tragic. As our society progresses further toward suburban life, we have lost touch with nature and natural settings. The Grand Canyon "ain't no" city park yet it's always surprising to see how many folks tempt fate along the rim and in the canyon. Natural selection, possibly?? Anyhow, the book begins with tragic falls from the rim, continues with falls within the canyon, death from flash floods, and death on the Colorado. Then it examines the freak accidents and then suicides in the park (the last of which I think ocurred in May 2006). The book is wrapped up with a discussion of murder in the GC. The story about Powell is very interesting yet the big hook is the discussion on Glen and Bessie Hyde. Overall, this is one excellent book that first time visitors to the park should read. Once you walk out to Cape Royal on the North Rim and take a look down, I think most people will no longer need a concise pamplet to warn them of the danger that lies beyond the guard rail.

LOVED THIS BOOK! It's a great book to read to remind us that we are human and so fraglie.

A friend of mine who heard I was going to visit the Grand Canyon loaned me his copy of this book. He never made it through the book, but thought I might want to give it a try. I was game. The fact is that in spite of the reviews below from the friends of the authors, the book is a slog; very repetitive. And it doesn't help that the authors often lapse into a starchy, academic style. Most of the stories are more detail than you'd ever want to know and arouse the suspicion that the authors are less concerned about providing information and insights that are truly useful to park visitors than exploiting the tragedy of others for personal gain. The main theme seems to be that human beings are often foolish and get into situations that can prove fatal. Any one who has lived for awhile will already know this. Visitors to the national park would be better served by a concise pamphlet that gets to the point and provides practical tips. Meanwhile if you visit Grand Canyon, talk with the rangers, listen to what they have to say and use common sense and you should be fine. And unless you take morbid delight in the sorrow of others, save your money, there's no point in buying this book.

The dramatic rescues and tragic deaths in the canyon are compelling stories. The authors often write in first person adding to the drama.

With a wry morbid humor, Over the Edge is like reading Americas Funniest tragedies in the greatest hole on earth. It was entertaining, refective and educational. Sometimes you just wonder, "How stupid can we really be."

Knowing my own intellectual level, I feel very lucky to be reading it back in the comfort of my own home. (I'm glad my kids kept me safe.)

The book was very interesting. The only downfall was that it was repetitive at times, however still very interesting. Enjoyed reading

This book contains gripping accounts of all known deaths in the Grand Canyon. The intro contains a warning that the stories may keep you up past your normal bedtime--I found this to be true!
The book is thick, does drag a little in the middle, and contains some grammatical errors, but these are overshadowed by the enthralling nature of true accounts of fatalities and near fatalities in the grandest of the seven natural wonders.
Keith W. Meyers

This is an excellent and comprehensive summary of fatal accidents of all kinds in Grand Canyon, including airplane crashes. The causes are clearly described in all cases. Some of the accounts are rather repetitive, but that is inevitable in such an inclusive book.

I bought this book and started reading it while at the Grand Canyon. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. It's full of heart-wrenching and gripping stories about real people and how some met their tragic deaths. The book is a startling reminder that something so beautiful can be very deadly. The book is easy to read and understand. I finished the book before I finished my vacation.

The first half of this book is a fine discussion of overly ambitious photographers, hikers, swimmers, boaters, and flyers.

At the point that the text begins to discuss guided boat trips and flying accidents, it becomes less useful. The authors note the importance of propert training, staffing, and equipment on guided trips and discuss the loopholes in various regulations that may impair safety. The book could have been more helpful if it had provided some clear guidance (perhaps a summary or checklist) for tourists about researching boating and air trips to avoid the least safe companies.

The section on an armed panhandler living three miles into the Canyon raised some questions about violent crime in and around the Canyon and whether the NPS policies prohibiting self-defense weapons in the Parks are a wise idea. If 4 armed park rangers had trouble with one armed man, what risks exist for solo or small groups of hikers? The following section on a kidnapper in the park raised similar concerns. Statistics on non-fatal assaults, robberies, and sexual assaults on hikers inside the Canyon would have been an interesting addition to this chapter.

This is not an academic analysis, but the authors at times seem unaware of the problems of witness' perceptions and memory. A subsequent volume might want to look into some of the research in this area and add a few more qualifiers when relying on anecdotal data.

The weakest part of the book is the epilogue where the authors move from a solid analysis based on recorded incidents into a discussion of the sociology of adventure tourism and a diatribe against tort lawyers and irresponsible juries. The authors assert, without providing any supporting data, that frivolous lawsuits are costing National Park Service resources and impose irksome restrictions on responsible travelers. Without any supporting data, this rant feels tacked on by the authors and signficantly diminishes the solid feeling of the rest of the book. (Those 4 pages cost the book a star in this reviewer's eyes.)

... maybe it isn't, but it should be. Just about everything in the book is stunning. The amount of people who have fallen to their deaths over the edge due to trying to capture scenic photographs or goofing around is disheartening. I also had no idea just how cold the Colorado River was and how it is possible to drown in the rapids even while wearing a life jacket. The authors do a good job of weaving in many stories that have non-fatal endings, to keep the book from becoming just a collection of peoples' personal miseries. The most surprising statistics in the book are those concerning plane crashes at Grand Canyon - accounting for more deaths than the falling, jumping, dying of heat, drowning, etc, combined. The final chapter has three excellent stories - of the three who walked out from the Powell expedition, of Glen & Bessie Hyde and the "alternative" ending, and a man who apparently didn't believe in divorce. The authors do a thorough, exhaustive, sensitive, and fascinating job of piecing together the deaths at Grand Canyon.

This book really held my attention! Very intriguing stories, and some valuable lessons learned too.