The mystique of the Colorado river is no less enduring and powerful than is its physical presence in the landscape of the West. Little wonder that narratives about the Colorado still arouse and intrigue readers, or that the river continues to inspire new writing among contemporary authors. What is surprising is that no anthology offering a comprehensive introduction to these works existed -- until now.A Colorado River Reader spans hundreds of years and many cultures and voices to capture an array of responses to this mighty river and its tributaries. The collection opens with a Paiute creation myth set in the Grand Canyon and progresses through time, encompassing the Spanish and American exploration narratives of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and culminating in the adventure and nature writings of the twentieth.This is a book that deserves a place next to every armchair and in a pocket of every backpack.