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

Name: The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (4459 reviews)
Author: Kevin Fedarko

by Kevin Fedarko

Nonfiction Historical Fiction

4.7 (4,459)

4.7 stars from 4,459 reviews. Top 55% of Nonfiction books we track.

432 pages~7.2 hr readPublished by Simon and SchusterPublished 2013-05-07

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Last checked: May 1, 2026

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Perfect for you if...

You love true stories where ordinary people push against impossible odds and nature itself becomes the antagonist.
You're fascinated by the engineering, logistics, and human psychology behind record attempts and extreme adventure.
You want narrative nonfiction that feels like a thriller, with real stakes and a climax you can't predict even though it actually happened.

Maybe not for you if...

You prefer quiet, meditative books about nature rather than high-adrenaline accounts of people deliberately risking their lives.
You're looking for a guide to the Grand Canyon or practical outdoor advice. This is adventure storytelling, not a how-to.
You need a short read. At 432 pages, this is a commitment that requires patience for the full historical and technical context.

About this book

In spring 1983, massive flooding along the Colorado River created an unprecedented emergency at the Glen Canyon Dam that threatened catastrophic failure. During this crisis, a small wooden dory named The Emerald Mile was launched into the Grand Canyon just fifteen miles downstream from the dam—a decision that seemed extraordinarily risky. The Emerald Mile had been slated for destruction before Kenton Grua rescued and restored it. Grua piloted the boat with the intention of using the flood as a hydraulic advantage to set the all-time speed record for any boat—powered by oars, motor, or otherwise—traveling through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River from Lee's Ferry to Lake Mead. This book recounts the remarkable true story of this epic attempt and its outcome.

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Currently around #27K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller.

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Currently 4.7★ from 4,459 reviews

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