Best Books About Colorado

Discover Colorado's top rock climbing areas with routes for climbers of all levels, ranging from 5.0 to 5.14. Get ready to challenge yourself in the great outdoors!

This non-fiction book follows the thrilling true tale of a team of engineers facing the threat of a catastrophic dam failure on the Colorado River during a legendary flood in 1983. Against all odds, Kenton Grua sets out to break the record for the fastest boat ride ever, down the entire length of the river through the Grand Canyon. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Grua's dangerous and daring journey.

Experience the adventures and challenges of early twentieth-century ranching through the eyes of eight-year-old Ralph. From auctions and roundups to tornadoes and wind storms, Little Britches is full of authentic color and heartwarming tales. Follow Ralph's journey as he learns the skills necessary to take his father's place on the Colorado ranch. This newly-republished hardcover edition features original illustrations and a vintage cover.

This captivating epic celebrates the American West through the stories of Colorado's people, from Native American chieftains to homesteaders and hunters. This masterpiece is full of drama and conflict that shaped the legendary West and the entire country. Michener's imaginative and intricate storytelling also educates readers about American history. Critics hail Centennial as a must-read for fans of Michener and an absorbing work for anyone interested in the stories that shaped America.

This American masterpiece is a deeply moving narrative of one family and the traditions of our national past. The story follows Lyman Ward, a retired professor of history who is confined to a wheelchair by a crippling bone disease. Amidst the chaos of the 1970s counterculture, he retreats to his ancestral home in Grass Valley, California to write a biography of his grandmother, an elegant and headstrong artist and pioneer who made her own journey through the hardscrabble West nearly 100 years prior. As he discovers her story, he excavates his own, probing the shadows of his experience and the America that has come of age around him.

A man's quest for fortune in America is threatened by a powerful enemy who wants him dead. After being attacked and thrown into the hold of a pirate ship, he manages to escape and make his way to the Carolina coast, where he sees the promise of a bright future in the raw, abundant land. But before he can achieve his dream, he must return to England and discover the secret of his father's legacy.

This heartwarming novel tells the story of a high school teacher who raises his two boys alone in a small town in Colorado after their mother leaves. An unexpected teen pregnancy and the lives of two elderly bachelors add depth to the portrait of a resilient community bound by fate and circumstance. Kent Haruf's emotional and aesthetic authority makes this novel a classic American tradition to believe in and learn from.

This book takes readers on a wild journey through rivers, mountains, and deserts. The author offers a refreshing perspective on life and the future, emphasizing the hope that the military-industrial state will soon collapse. Along the way, he also addresses serious issues like the MX missile system in the American West. If you're feeling down, this book is the perfect antidote to despair.

Discover the best hiking trails in Colorado with this comprehensive guidebook. Filled with accurate GPS coordinates, detailed topographic maps, and expanded route options, this updated edition of a classic guide will take you to the top of Colorado's fourteeners. In addition to the most popular routes, you'll also find descriptions of lesser-known trails and technical routes for those seeking a more challenging adventure.

"No Barriers" tells the incredible story of Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mount Everest. After his historic climb, he sets out on a journey to inspire others and break through barriers of their own. Through leading expeditions, adopting a son, and facing the daunting task of solo kayaking the Grand Canyon, Weihenmayer shows how anyone can achieve more than they ever thought possible. With inspiring stories from other pioneers who have overcome adversity, "No Barriers" is a powerful exploration of the human spirit and the path towards growth and rebirth.