I LOVED this. It will absolutely be on my top books of the year list, and I want to go back and read Fedarko's previous book.

A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko is a book made for outdoor adventurers and lovers of a good yarn. As someone fascinated by the Grand Canyon and travel memoirs, this one greatly intrigued me.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

I went out on a limb picking up this title NetGalley, but I was trying something new and hoping to learn a little something along the way. You will certainly learn a lot reading A Walk in the Park. I was really hooked in the initial chapters, but felt the story kind of dragged through the middle sections. I’d get really invested in their hike, then we’d take an extended excursion into history. I’m not all saying that’s a bad thing (and the information is great, especially about Indigenous tribes connection with the land there and how it was wrongly taken from them), it just wasn’t a pace I could stay engaged in at this moment in my life. So maybe it’s me, not A Walk in the Park.

I appreciated Fedarko’s level of research into the history of the canyon and those who have lived there, loved it, and traversed it over time. Also, his candor about the challenges they faced in the canyon due to their own error. I enjoyed going to McBride’s Instagram and seeing photos from their hike. I’d recommend this one to anyone with an interest in for hiking, the Grand Canyon, history of the American West, true (mis)adventure tales and the like!

3.5 for me, rounded up because it probably deserves it

Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner for a digital copy - all opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this book because I adore nature books and especially accounts of finding oneself on the trails. But unfortunately, this just felt like a copycat of Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. Fedarko and his partner were not prepared and the Grand Canyon is very dangerous and I just got so annoyed with them. Disappointing.

The most interesting aspect of this book is that two out-of-shape middle aged men transected the Grand Canyon, but that would not have happened were it not for the extraordinary team behind them led by Rich Rudow. This team was highly motivated to have an article written about the Canyon, and Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko dropped in their lap.

Kevin has an impressive resume, but meeting the younger Kevin in the earlier chapters did little to encourage a full read. While he indicates in a footnote that the Pete-bashing is for effect, it doesn’t play well. Then there is the backstory about previous hikers and Kevin’s experience as a white water poop porter who was comfortably resigned to the fact that he wasn’t qualified for anything more challenging. But enduring the opening will pay off. Kevin does a wonderful job describing the Canyon with its cultural artifacts, plants, wildlife, and staggering beauty. By the time he gets to the 300 daily helicopter tours, we will share his distress about this noxious exploitation of a national treasure that remains as Powell saw it when it was a “blank space on the US map.” More importantly, it is likely the only place left in the US that holds, untouched, the priceless cultural artifacts of the original peoples and early prospectors.

On a philosophical note, Kevin and Pete’s story gives us an opportunity to evaluate anthropocentrism, the notion that humankind is superior to all things, including nature. The walloping these two men took at Mother Nature’s hand should set the apex crowd straight on that topic. Of the many lessons learned in this book, having our bravado beaten and humbled just might be a process one must go through before doing something extraordinary.

Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

If you are fascinated by the Grand Canyon ,this book will keep you interested. Fedarko quits his job to become a river guide on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Ill equipped to do anything but ferry the "poop" raft he still loves the canyon. Approached by his close friend who want to make a documentary about walking the rim, which is several hundred miles long, the two set out on an ill advised journey. Coming close to death several times, rescued only by the kindness of expert hikers the two embark on their adventure. The book delves deeply into the geology of the canyon, the history of the indigenous people who understood how to live there the book is fascinating. Leavend by some of their humorous exploits this is a most interesting read.

I felt every moment of this book. After I felt inspired to plan my own adventures, carefully of course. The history that was intertwined gave me an unexpected education into the Indigenous voices. I loved learning about the cultural aspect of the canyon.

A Walk in the Park offers readers an immersive journey through one of America's most iconic natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. Kevin Fedarko's narrative chronicles his ambitious attempt, alongside photographer Pete McBride, to traverse the entire length of the canyon on foot - a feat billed as "the toughest hike in the world."

Fedarko's writing skillfully captures the awe-inspiring beauty and unforgiving nature of the Grand Canyon. His descriptions paint a vivid picture of the landscape, from towering cliffs to hidden oases, revealing aspects of the park that few tourists ever witness. The author's personal connection to the canyon, including touching moments involving his father, adds emotional depth to the adventure narrative.

The book excels in its exploration of the canyon's rich cultural history, incorporating perspectives from Native American tribes and shedding light on often-overlooked aspects of the park's heritage. Fedarko also addresses important contemporary issues, such as the impact of commercial tourism on this natural treasure.

While the story is undoubtedly compelling, some readers may find that the pacing slows down as the journey progresses. This could be attributed to the repetitive nature of the challenges faced by the hikers or perhaps an overabundance of detail in certain sections.

Despite this minor drawback, A Walk in the Park remains a valuable read for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those interested in conservation. Fedarko's account serves as both a thrilling adventure story and a thoughtful plea for the preservation of the Grand Canyon.

The book offers a unique perspective on a familiar landmark, challenging readers to see the Grand Canyon not just as a tourist destination, but as a complex, living landscape worthy of protection and deeper understanding.

I thought this book which was widely reviewed to be on the dull side. If Fedarko was as good a writer as Bill Bryosn I would have devoured it, but not as written.
I appreciate the review copy.

A wonderful adventure story that also provides an immersive perspective on the history of the Grand Canyon. I really enjoyed following the misadventures of the author and his friend - this made me want to go hiking in the Grand Canyon soon.

I appreciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

This is certainly one of the BEST non-fiction books I've read this year. . .in my top 10 for sure!

The author, Kevin Fedarko and his good buddy Pete McBride (a National Geographic photographer) decide that a hike through the Grand Canyon was just the thing to fill in the bare spots on their calendars. This would be a thorough hike - from start to finish - and had rarely if ever been completely done, by live people. That is, as in still living. Yes, there are some dark shades in this read.

The plan is Kevin will write a book about it. Pete will take the pictures, and they will both take care of each other. Documented is the birth of the idea, the research, the team gathering, the support building, fund finding, and then the first steps on to the path as the delivery team drives away with encouraging cheers. They are on their own.

The author entertains, amuses, appalls, overshares and gets down and gritty with historical outrages as he steps foot on land that hasn't been stepped on in ages. Literally. From scavenging for dinner, to being taken into deep history by surprise indigenous team members, to eye-to-eye moments with unexpected creatures, readers are pulled right along with the hikers. Captivated by this travel tale, hanging off rocks, sliding down inclines, the wide-ranging thought process of the author waxed lyrical in surprisingly right places. He's full of history, telling both sides of the story - of the whites who "discovered" the place and then have spent the next few centuries exploring it. Then swings to the other side - the people who lived here in the cracks and crannies, for millennia - who called it home until they left - for reasons unknown, and then in later days for reasons shamefully known.

Along the hike's winding dangerous path were so many close calls, so thirsty, cold, hurt, stung, stabbed, burnt, dazzled, charmed, harmed and utterly spent. They were out in the Wild and in the beauty of all that red, orange, yellow, marbled layered world - as I read I could just about hear their crunching footfalls, deep breathing while the rustling of their packs carried up the echoes bouncing up the surfaces. Transported. That's what I was. An incredible gift as I will never be able to go there myself.

*A sincere thank you to Kevin Fedarko, Scribner, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

One of my favorite things to do is read a book set in a location I'm about to visit, so I requested this one in anticipation of a trip that included a visit to the Grand Canyon.

This gorgeous book did not disappoint! I was not overly familiar with the Grand Canyon before reading this. The amount of history that it contains (both geological and anthropological) is presented in such an exciting way that you can't help but get sucked into it.

The author's imagery in his descriptions is magical, making you want to experience the beauty and wonder that he did.

"Each evening as night fell across the Sanup, when a wave of absolute silence once again washed over the land. A silence, so pure and clean, flecked with starlight and chilled by currents of cold autumn air, that it seemed to form its own river – pouring in like a flood tide, spilling down the faces of the cliffs, collecting in the pockets of shallow ground, and pooling and deepening until the entire plateau was baked in a hush that seemed to charge the air, quicken the senses, and settle the mind all at once."

The fact that I am aggressively indoorsy somehow leads me to love reading books about people who take on and overcome challenges in the great outdoors. I enjoy reading about their sweaty adventures from the comfort of my air-conditioned home. I was hooked as Kevin and Pete started their journey as two people inexperienced with the challenge of hiking the 750-mile length of the Grand Canyon. They transformed into hardy humans who could take on almost any hazardous challenge the Canyon threw their way.

Of course, they had help along the way, namely Rich Rudow, a brilliant mind and an expert in exploratory desert canyoneering. He gently assists the unlikely pair of hikers throughout their journey with his expansive knowledge of barely explored places throughout the Canyon.

The story can lag a bit at times, but overall it is an interesting and informative tale. It definitely enriched my visit to the Grand Canyon, even though I did minimal hiking while I was there. I finished the book shortly after I had visited the Canyon and it makes me want to plan a return trip where I can spend more time exploring.

Many thanks to #netgalley for this ARC of #awalkinthepark which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Fascinating! I’ve always been fascinated by the Grand Canyon – it’s one of my favorite places – so this was a nice, long visit, seeing it from a different point of view. This book has everything – it’s part travel guide, part memoir, part history book – it covers it all and does so in such a way to keep you engrossed in the story. There is a slow start with a lot of history thrown at you but once the adventure begins, it gets really interesting and you feel like you’re in the Grand Canyon with them, trekking around and learning about the canyon, the different cultures of the area, and the natural world as a whole.

More than 6 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year, and yet it remains a beautiful mystery. A Walk In The Park is the story of a year long journey along the length of the canyon through the interior and up and down the vertical walls. A 750 mile path. Limited access to water. No through trail. Together with his photographer friend they encounter long-lost Native American ruins, the remains of Old West prospectors’ camps, present day tribal activists, and signs that commercial tourism is impinging on the park’s remote wildness.

An epic adventure, action-packed survival tale, and a deep spiritual journey, A Walk in the Park gives an inside look at the Grand Canyon and all the wonders within.

This book!!! So good! It's everything I wanted to read. Last year I read Brave The Wild River which was about a journey along the Colorado River. I loved it. I never thought the Grand Canyon is something I'd be so interested in. But reading A Walk In The Park you can't help being amazed at it. I've never been there but through Kevin Fedarko's writing I feel a little bit closer and have gained an understanding. The descriptions are breathtaking, seriously great nature writing. I took a long time reading this book. It's over 500 pages but I also wanted to soak in every detail. It was a long trek so why not a long read. But it was never, never boring or slow. How could it be when there was action and drama. It was also funny. Just wait until you read about how the trip came about. Don't skip the footnotes. Those are also fun.

A Walk In The Park is nature writing, adventure, survival, and history all rolled into one. It's such an interesting book. I learned so much. Within the first 20% of the book I had looked up names, places, events. Many other books have now been added to my TBR.

I've found my top read of the year and can't wait to get a physical copy. A Walk In The Park is available now. Thank you so much to Scribner Books and Netgalley for the chance to read!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199798198-a-walk-in-the-park

I love taking some trips through the comfort of my home. While the Grand Canyon is absolutely spectacular, the 750 mile journey Fedarko and McBride did isn’t something I would even think to do. Which is why travel writing and documentaries hold so much power. The trip the duo took ended up earning them “Adventurers of the Year” by National Geographic.

Fedarko’s narrative isn’t brief and he goes into a lot of detail chronicling the events along with some spiritual growth. He also goes into the histories of the people and the area which was an unexpected surprise that I really appreciated. I listened to most of this on audio, Fedarko narrates his own story and it made sense. I enjoy this type of non-fiction a lot on audio and I think it helped to have that option when the parts of the book seemed to be a touch too long (I don’t hold it against the author, I think it’s hard to be too editorial of your own memories). The print copy’s maps and photos however really helped me get oriented.

I haven’t read the author’s previous book The Emerald Mile and I’m saving it for when I need another adventure memoir.

Thank you so much to Scribner for the ARC of this one.

An interesting approach to a landmark that has been studied and restudied by so many, actually managing to say something new about it.

Interesting subject but I felt it was too detailed in part. Getting ready for the walk was informative but the second half just didn't hold my attention as much.

This book was less dense than The Emeral Mile and more lighthearted. I have hiked in the Canyon in some of the same areas and Fedarko's descriptions feel like an accurate representation of the landscape: it's sights, sounds, and the effects it has on you. I have heard him describe this journey at in-person speaking engagements at the Grand Canyon. Like The Emerald Mile, the author presents a lot of history relating to the canyon and the politics surrounding it today. I appreciated the extensive bibliography provided at the end. The only cons I have are the predictability of his writing style well into the book; he ends many paragraphs with a simile. Sometimes this led to feeling forced and flat for me. Overall, I appreciated how he used the journey to educate others about the issues effecting the canyon today.

I was turned off from this book. The author portrays himself and his friend as people who are reckless and who took on more than they could, even though they knew that it would be a dangerous trip. I've been in the Grand Canyon twice and hiked down to Hermit's Rest and Indian Gardens, you shouldn't go in with the attitude that the author did. I wouldn't do that even with the mountains around here, it not only treats the land with disrespect, it also shows how little regard you have for the people who might have to come and get you out of a tight spot.