Utah Books

This book tells an amazing story about millions of people. Since 1894 the Geneological Society of Utah (now known as the Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has souhgt to collect genealogical information about people from every nation. Latter-day Saints see this work as a fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy that the hearts of the children would be turned to their fathers to unify all members of the human family and to prepare the world to meet God.

In Novenber 1994, the Church celebrated the Genealogical Society's centennial. At one level, the Society's story is the history of an organization. At another level, it is the intersection of numerous individual stories, such as the dedication of Susa Young Gates, the tireless determination of Joseph Fielding Smith, the enthusiasm of Archibald F. Bennett, and the daring of Paul Langheinrich. LDS genealogical research is known all over the world. Parts of the story are familiar to many people, but only a fraction of the whole history is widely known.

This book tells that story. It is a history of astounding and sustained efforts that have changed the hearts of millions.
--- from book's dustjacket

High, Wide, And Handsome: The River Journals Of Norman D. Nevills presents the personal journal writings of whitewater thrill-seeker Norman D. Nevills, who discovered the joy of whitewater journeying on his honeymoon, designed a craft for more serious journeys, and explored wild rivers especially in the late 1930's and 1940's, never flipping a boat nor losing a passenger until the tragic 1949 plane crash that claimed him and his beloved wife. Editor Roy Webb presents Nevills not through the eyes of those who praised or smeared him for his passion, but through Nevills' own writings, which give a candid day-by-day account of the thrills, challenges, and exhilaration of whitewater rafting. Black-and-white photographs and extensive notes help fill in the reader on details not elaborated in the journal, in this exciting collection especially recommended for armchair travelers and whitewater sports enthusiasts interested in the personal perspective of a pioneer.

I'm planning a trip out to the park this fall for some hiking and climbing, and I'm glad I got my hands on this guide. The route descriptions are mostly hikes or easy scrambles up to the peaks and through the bristlecone groves. The book's got a good deal background info and history on the park, detailed route descriptions with variations, gear recommendations, amenities and park regulations all packed into a convenient and light book. The maps are simple but useful for getting a good overview of the terrain, basically drawings showing the lines of the ridges, trails, roads, bristlecone groves and glaciers. For good maps stick with the USGS 7.5 minute quads. Most route descriptions also include black and white pictures of the route from a good vantage point.

A couple words of warning: distances and elevations are all metric, and some of the info, particularly on amentities, may be somewhat outdated, having been printed in 1988.

UPDATE: Yes, my trip went very well and I had a great time out at Great Basin. If you use this guidebook be forewarned: The authors' descriptions include many extremely rugged and scary off trail routes described as easy or moderate, but which are moderate only for people in excellent physical shape and having a good amount of real-world wilderness routefinding experience.

Had enough of trails where you bump into somebody every hundred feet? Michael Kelsey's books take you far from the crowd, and way off the trails, into spectacular wild country of southern Utah. (Many are proposed wilderness areas.) This book on the Henry Mountains and the Dirty Devil River is a good example. We used it for day hikes and were well pleased with the results. The maps of access roads can be hard to match up with what exists on the ground (county roads in Utah are seldom equipped with signs helpful to hikers looking for the trailhead). As for the hiking part, his maps tend to show suggested routes rather than actual trails. Mr. Kelsey writes for experienced hikers who know how to get lost and then how to find themselves again. But when you follow his advice, you'll get into places you will never forget. His books also supply a wealth of history and geology about the area.

This is a great resource for utah trails. Descriptions and trail information are perfect to help hikers find the right path for an adventure.

I like the Falcon Guides more than the others. The descriptions are always good, as are the directions, and the maps were better than in most guidebooks. But in this one, the maps are improved. They're topographic in a simple and adequate way (we're not aiming artillery!) and the UTM grid is shown so if you have a GPS unit that shows UTM coordinates it's a plus. It's not that you'd probably ever use the feature but it's a safety factor like extra food and water.

I love the Falcon Guides. The Zion and Bryce Canyon edition was the first one I used and now I look for one each time I plan a visit to a national park. My husband and I are avid "day hikers" and we like to find out about the hikes available to us ahead of time so we can make the most out of our trips. This book made it easy. Each hike receives its own detailed description, a clear and easy to use map, an elevation gain/loss chart (so you know just how much up and down you'll be doing and how much land you have to do it in), a snapshot look at points of interest, and more. A nice, brief introduction covers the basics regarding the terrain, weather, and hazards of this region of the country, with all its unique natural features and wildlife. A hiker's checklist at the end is a nifty touch, too. Best of all, hikers of any skill and experience level can use it, as it covers short walks, day hikes, and long backpacking trips as well. We took this book with us and followed it faithfully through each hike we attempted- and had 10 days of wonderful, hassle-free trekking. Highly recommended.

Having been born in San Juan County I grew up reading much of the local history, some of it well written some not. The reason I liked this book so well is that Dr. McPherson covers the history of all of San Juan County's residents not just one or two. Given the fact that this region was the last region of the State of Utah to be colonized by Mormon settlers, much of the history is written about the Mormons and their relationship with the native Americans to the exclusion of others white settlers. McPherson covers everything in a very readable style.

I have read and owned this book. It was published in 1900 as a fund raiser for the deceased miners. The original bound version is getting scarce and includes photos. The book was reprinted by the Utah Railroad and Mining Museum of Helper, Utah as a part of the Centennial Celebration in 2000. The museum is a good source of information with many stories and video clips. However the Museum is volunteer funded and operated and it is not very efficient. I have made a xerox copy of this book. The one I used and read was stolen out of the Provo City Public Library sometime between 1984 and 1992. Other copies can be located at the Utah Historical Society in Salt Lake City.

A History Of Utah's American Indians is an impressive, comprehensive historical survey of Native American inhabitants of Utah, including six Native American tribes recognized as official entities and residing within Utah's boundaries. These include the Northwestern Shoshone, the Goshutes, the Paiutes, the Utes, the White Mesa Utes, and the Navhaos (Dine). Each tribe has its own government, while individual Tribe members are also citizens of Utah and the United States. The numerous contributors cover such issues as origin stories, religion, politics, education, folkways, family life, social activities, economic issues, important events, migration, interaction with whites and among themselves, war, trade, intermarriage, common threats and challenges. Of special note is the introductory chapter providing an overview of Utah's Native Americans and the concluding chapter summarizing the issues and concerns of contemporary Native Americans and their tribal leaders. A History Of Utah's American Indians is a remarkable and very welcome contribution to Native American studies and supplemental reading lists.