The Man Who Walked Through Time

The Story of the First Trip Afoot Through the Grand Canyon

By: Colin Fletcher

Narrated by: Matthew Josdal

In 1963 Colin Fletcher became the first man to walk the length of Grand canyon, below the Rim. It began with a dream, when he and a friend detoured from a cross-country trip to take a hurried look at the great natural wonder. Standing on the Rim, surrounded by the profound and almost mystical silence, Fletcher knew that something had happened to the way he looked at things. He also knew that the Canyon, with its depths and distances, cliffs, buttes, and hanging terraces, beckoned to him, calling him on a journey that would challenge both his body and his mind.

©1967 Colin Fletcher (P)2020 Tantor

Less of an adventure book...

Perhaps it's a product of its day but I'm 3+ hours into the book and there's just far too much geology in the book and too little adventure. Perhaps there was a clamoring for information on that sort of thing in 1963, I don't know. The book comes across unnecessarily heady and by extension repetitive. After three hours in you get it: the Grand Canyon has layers of rock x-million years old. I don't know if I will finish it but it would have it's work cut out to become an adventure book in the latter 5 hours.

For all who love the wild side of earth

Hikers,travelers,lovers of diligence. Will l love this book! It may even entic you to hike down in to the canyon as it did me!❤️

One of the Great modern adventures!

I have read this book several times and will do so throughout my life. I can't remember how many times I've been to the Grand Canyon ,both North and South rims, and into her beautiful depths. I've recommended this wonderful book to many, even to some Park Rangers at the Canyon.

Great adventures

I really enjoyed this book of adventure. He went into details which helps when you are a hiker. I very much appreciated this book.

Eloquent

This 'read' like an English professor wrote it rather than a man that hiked the length of the Grand Canyon. Would rather have heard about what he saw.

Enjoyed, But Not Delighted

I enjoyed their book, but like some others I would have preferred a bit more discussion on what he saw as opposed to how he felt.

The narration left something to be desired.

As far as some of the comments about him being racist, I didn’t pick up on that. It seems to me, he was just describing what he saw. It’s unrealistic to expect a book written when this one was, to hold to today’s sentiments.

Interesting Adventure

Quite an achievement this difficult trek is. They said it couldn't be done. It was completed.

Fletcher is King

Very enjoyable. If you like hiking, camping, or exploring then this is your book. Inspiring, insightful and purposeful. The father of backpacking paints a beautiful picture of the Grand Canyon and his 2 month adventure along his unmarked path from one side to the other. Enjoy

If you like it, find the book for its photos & map

I first read this book in 1969 during my first X-country drive with a number of hippy friends. We camped near the entrance to the Grand Canyon park and stood on its rim, gazing in awe. The book was a perfect tag-along. (My other book was Kerouac's "On the Road). Got back just in time for the Woodstock Music Festival. Loved Fletcher's books then, and loved it again. The reader was not the best. His timing was awkward. I don't know if Fletcher had a Welsh accent, but that night have made the reading better.

Great Story

Great story, one of my favorite authors and adventurers. Not a huge fan of the narrator though.