Unfortunate Narration

I listen to audiobooks almost daily due to my long drive to work. The content of this book is excellent, but I couldn't finish it because the narration was so overdone. It's hard to explain how it is irritating, but it's seemed overly done or over acted. I'm sure some will appreciate it, but I could not overcome it.

3 people found this helpful

No justice done to JW Powell by narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book desperately needs a less dramatic reader. Powell was a fairly button downed autocrat and to think he would have tolerated someone breathlessly, excitedly, and needlessly exaggerating the emotion of his text defies imagination. The narrator's style severely detracts from the text, which is unfortunate.

If you’ve listened to books by John Wesley Powell before, how does this one compare?

N/A

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Andre Stojka?

Anyone who can read text without adding extreme voice inflection!

Could you see The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes - but a movie was made years ago by Disney. The Colorado and Green River portions are film worthy, but am not sure about the rest.

Any additional comments?

Powell's narrative is flawed in many respects, including detailing parts of this 1871 expedition in this 1869 book with acknowledging them. However, the information he includes is noteworthy and I only wish Powell was more of a story teller.

3 people found this helpful

Didn't dissapoint!

I have rafted Cataract Canyon and hiked all through many of the side canyons of Glen Canyon. Driven to marble canyon and the North rim of The Grand Canyon. I had always wanted to read this book on Powell's exploration during his two voyages, and the details took me straight back to my own journeys. Excellent book, looking forward to finding another book on the area!

2 people found this helpful

Santa Claus Reading to Little Kids

What didn’t you like about Andre Stojka’s performance?

A better delivery would have made this better. I'm pretty sure the reader was the guy that reads the Smuckers commercials, and he apparently has about the same vocal range as a jar of jelly. Here is an epic journal of one of America's greatest explorers, in some of our most harsh and iconic landscapes, and it's read to us like we're preschool kids listening to grandpa tell his grandpa stories once again. I just couldn't take it seriously, and I found it so distracting that I just could not make it beyond the first quarter of the book.

There's a television series called Planet Earth that was produced by the BBC and narrated by David Attenborough. When it made it to the US, it had kiddy music dubbed into the background, and it was narrated by Oprah Winfrey. She read as if she herself were surprised by the facts she rattled off, and as a viewer I felt contempt from the producers. I got the same feeling from this delivery. I don't need to hear John Wesley Powell as a breathy santa-figure, jolly chuckling his way through the story. Too bad.

2 people found this helpful

terrible narration

This is an incredible story of a singular man. He leads a group of dedicated men accomplishing the extraordinary feat of exploring the greatest canyon in the world. It mixes the scientific information with a story of adventure and courage.
The narration was so bad I found myself clenching my teeth. If I hadn't been caught by the text I never would have finished. I was glad when it was over.

1 person found this helpful

Very informative, and good narration

This is a wonderful book that describes the mighty river and its awe inspiring canyons in vivid detail. The narrator who sounds like a man of many seasons is so realistic as if John Wesley Powell himself is telling his own story. A prior review of the map of Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona with regard to the river and its tributories will greatly enhance the listeners comprehension.

1 person found this helpful

Winnie-the-Pooh narates this classic.

Still trying to finish as the narrator leaves me put off. This a first for me and I'm a big J.W.P. fan...

1 person found this helpful

A Dr. Seuss narration

Great book! great detail on John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Grand Canyon. unfortunately the narrator sounds like he’s reading a Dr. Seuss book. I Can’t finish it

Brilliantly inspiring.

John Wesley Powell navigated waterways that no other European American had the courage to and lived, but also daily climbed 1,000 to 3,000 foot rock walls while leading 9 experienced athletes as a national geological survey team. He did this as a Partially Abled Bodied war amputee. He is a mentor icon for every disabled war vet as well as any one partially abled bodied. His narrative is riveting.

excellent narrative

Where does The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

one of the most entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

John Wesley Powell who wrote an account of his exploration of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon plus his encounters with Native Americans.

What does Andre Stojka bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Very expressive reading of the material. I was excited to hear more.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

1st Colorado River and Grand Canyon expedition.

Any additional comments?

I have much more respect for the men who made this journey and the hardships they endured as they were the first men to float down the Colorado River. I was impressed by the scientific observations recorded by Powell and the men. The narrator made me feel as if I was hearing the story from John Wesley Powell himself.