This book is an outstanding historical narrative about Hells Canyon of the Middle Snake River. It is a scholarly-literary gem that is both emotionally rich and poignant. The author begins with the region’s geologic history and continues through Native American, mine, ranch, riverboat, and dam-construction histories to the present day. Other scholars as well as students of history and the general public will not only value the contents of this book but come to rely on them for their own work.

—Tracy Vallier
Islands & Rapids: A Geological Story of Hells Canyon

Here is a book that does this majestic canyon justice. In the deft hands of historian Carole Simon-Smolinski the story of America’s deepest gorge unravels: from timeless geology to the Nez Perce; from explorers to steamboat captains, gold seekers to soldiers, entrepreneurs to dam builders. Mostly, though, this book is a testament to the rugged, sometimes eccentric, people who, over the years, have worked to scrabble a living out of this spectacular but unforgiving land.

Read and enjoy. A book of this clarity and scope has been a long time coming. It was worth the wait.

—Keith Petersen, Idaho State Historian
River of Life, Channel of Death: Fish and Dams on the Lower Snake