"Murphy, has managed to barge through the decades of bluster and confusion to present the first comprehensive and meticulously, correctly researched history of John Hance."-- Earle Spamer , Raven's Perch Media "This is a formal history of a large personality, well researched with Hance's warts and all. Murphy's book is serious history for lovers of Grand Canyon's rich human history and I highly recommend it. The story reads well and entices readers onwards with Hance's life journey. All will benefit greatly from Murphy's excellent research and desire to tell the truth about Hance, an irony that surely would not be lost on the greatest liar himself."-- The Ol' Pioneer: The Magazine of the Grand Canyon Historical Society "A great book for anyone wanting to know more about John Hance at the Grand Canyon, but also for those who seek to understand how John Hance became the character that he was. There is plenty of detail and an extensive section of notes and bibliography."-- Boatman's Quarterly Review "There is no other biography of John Hance, despite his being a seminal character in the pre-national park days of Grand Canyon.

This book is a much-needed remedy to that lack of detailed knowledge about an important figure and an important period in the development of one of America's most iconic national parks."-- Roy Webb , author of Lost Canyons of the Green River: The Story before Flaming Gorge Dam "A great addition to the Grand Canyon literature. It fills a large void and offers a good view of a whole era that even many Grand Canyon aficionados know little about. The book combines great scholarship with an enjoyable personality."-- Don Lago , author of Canyon of Dreams: Stories from Grand Canyon History.