An Uncompromising Explorer: Major John Wesley Powell

By Rich Holtzin

AN UNCOMPROMISING EXPLORER--Major John Wesley Powell (A Proxy Play in Four Acts) is a recount of the Green and Colorado rivers inaugural 1869 expedition and presented innovatively. Namely, a faux play performance that features Major Powell and two of the boatmen known as the "two diarists." Later, when the major published his memoirs (1875), there were notorious flaws in its chronicle that had"telescoped" two different expeditions. Thus, he failed to mention there was a longer 1871-72 reprise.

Abstract: Decidedly, Major Powell's day-by-day narrative questions his partially misleading 1875 publication, which he later published an expanded revision in 1895. Powell's most celebrated biographers, notably Darrah, Worster, and Stegner, also tended to side with combined accounts while dismissing or downplaying some of the telling remarks George Bradley noted in his secret and shocking journal that was never revealed to the public until 1947. ("Shocking" because his version as one of the diarist was not only more descriptive and accurate but also revealing given the psychological aspects the major and Jack Sumner, the second diarist, never mentioned in their respective journals.). Post-expedition interviews with some of Major Powell's 1869 crew members were also casually dismissed by his loyal biographers (i.e., mere "complaints without substance"). The eventual and exposed problem with the former Civil War hero's ambitious and florid telling of the narrative centers on the fact there were indeed two expeditions that he organized and commanded. Consequently, his published account at the time made it seem to readers there was only one expedition.

This literary discourse, again, written in the semblance of a faux play, is portrayed by three actors on a stage reciting their daily reports to an imaginary audience. However, the three diarists are not aware of each other's recital. Instead, their respective oration reiterates Major Powell's published account. There is also one other performer, William ("Bill") Bass, who was one of the Grand Canyon's most celebrated late 19th-century prospectors. Serving in the role of the Greek Chorus, only, in this case, there is only one performer who describes and comments additional background information to the audience, his role in the performance suffices as additional footnotes that help clarify some of the narration as told by the three actors. It should also be mentioned how Bradley's insightful account (read, somewhat "cynical") was far more wordy compared to Powell's and Sumner's. He also expresses the psychological drama and aspects, which the other two diarists did not mention. Given this abstract's account, "An Uncompromising Explorer's" exposition is not only revealing but also damaging to the major's version. The overall narrative of the author's text includes part of the 1871-72 expedition's narrative. Because theater plays are a popular forum for audiences to enjoy, the chief objective of "An Uncompromising Explorer" is intended to critically examine aspects of both scientific expeditions. Therefore, not just another embellished Major Powell 1869 narrative. Instead, the added perspective of Bill Bass's commentaries.

(376-pages 7 x 10 Format)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 198187917X
• ISBN13: 9781981879175
• Release Date: December 2017
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 378 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.0" x 10.0"