Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery, 2nd edition, by Wayne Ranney. Soft cover, 208 pages, over 100 color photos, illustrations, and maps.

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Grand Canyon is one of the Earth’s most recognizable landscapes. Geologists have studied the canyon for more than 150 years, yet a single definitive answer for how or when the canyon formed remains elusive. Many aspects of the canyon’s formation are known, and new studies, using modern techniques, can tease out the cryptic clues that hold answers. Grand Canyon was carved largely by the erosive power of the Colorado River, but the river itself carried away the evidence of its earlier history. How the river accomplished its task is a spellbing story that is sure to appeal to your sense of discovery.

This well written and easy to follow new book starts by clearly laying out the history of theories about the origins of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. Next is a discussion of the current ideas about the river and canyon and the most recent evidence and what direction that evidence points. Illustrations throughout the book do an excellent job of highlighting the text. Carving the Grand Canyon ends with an outline of our current knowledge, and concludes with a concise summary of that outline.

This is an ideal book for both geologists and tourists interested in this fantastic, mythical place.