Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon

This wonderful historical narrative features two intrepid female botanists who, in 1938, embark on a grand adventure down the famously dangerous Colorado River to document the region’s plants. In lyrical prose, and relying heavily on the women’s journals and letters, Sevigny documents their harrowing 43-day voyage, crafting an account that reads like an adventure novel. She seamlessly weaves in the social and political history of the region, as well as fascinating nuggets about the Grand Canyon itself. A great choice for history buffs, nature lovers, and anyone who enjoys a good yarn about a daunting expedition. For fans of Kevin Fedarko’s The Emerald Mile and Candice Millard’s River of the Gods.