Sunk Without a Sound : The Tragic Colorado River Honeymoon of Glen and Bessie Hyde

Interesting account of the adventure

Outrageous adventures that capture the imagination, like Lindberg's trans-Atlantic flight, often personify the American spirit, especially in the youth of a new century. But the 1928 honeymoon excursion down the rapids of the Grand Canyon by Glen and Bessie Hyde ended in tragedy, their bodies never recovered, the whole trip shrouded in mystery. This book sets out to tell their story with as many facts as are available, recount the rescue efforts and determine some answers after all these years of speculation.After reading Grand Ambition, a novel by Lisa Michael's, about the couple's fateful honeymoon, I was curious to know more of the details and explore the lore surrounding the disappearance of Bessie and Glen. Author Dimock gathers what few pertinent facts are available and reconstructs the Hyde's journey, physically experiencing parts of it himself. He even builds a replica of their craft, hoping to ascertain what happened as they moved from one dangerous whitewater course to another. Literally, only speculation remains, because their flat-bottomed scow was found drifting, intact and packed with provisions with no evidence of the bodies. Did they die, or escape? The author also carefully goes over each step of the rescue party's unsuccessful search. As an extra service to the reader, he spends some time debunking the many urban legends that have sprung up over the years, passed from campfire to campfire, further clouding the truth.The most satisfying part of this book is Dimock's exacting concentration on each phase of the journey given the modernization of river rafting techniques and experience. Easy answers are simply not acceptable to Dimock, and he unfailingly covers every possible situation in the attempt to arrive at a feasible conclusion. In his conscientious writing, this author postulates some scenarios that set my mind at rest. When he fits the pieces of the puzzle together, it's as likely a fit as will be found at this time. And I was relieved to put aside those rumors and innuendoes told with a broad wink, because I would like to think of this couple in peace after such a short and harrowing twist of fate.

I love this book Just this April, my wife and I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time together. For me, it was the first time ever. We mostly hiked here and there on the South rim and a bit down into the canyon, but it was nothing big, though it was pleasant. However, I was intrigued with the tales of Glen and Bessie and I wanted to know more. I got another Grand Canyon book through Inter-Library loan and it mentioned that a fellow named Dimock was in the process of publishing a book about them.So I finally got this book and devoured it, once I got my hands on it. This guy not only heavily researched the Hydes, he also built a similar boat and took it through the Grand Canyon, albeit with a sweep boat as back up. Then he went by kayak to personally survey the area where the Hydes most likely died.I admit to being taken aback a bit by the book cover, which shows two people in modern garb and wearing life perservers in whitewater. However, who is better to show there than the author and his wife on the replica of the Hydes' "Rain in the Face" while barreling down what is presumably the Colorado River?I would even bet that this failed exploit provided the idea for Dana Lamb's book "Enchanted Vagabonds", in which he builds a boat and supposedly paddles it with his young wife all the way from California to Panama. However, Dana selected a route where cheating is possible.I want to thank Brad Dimock for answering all that can be reasonably yold about Glen and Bessie.

I could NOT put down this book.Writing non-fiction well is an art, and clearly Dimock has this nailed. I, too, became as obsessed with the Hyde's story, as Dimock obviously did, because he leaves no stone unturned.Bohemian, educated, honeymooners sail out in a scow in 1928, hoping to claim fame over the Grand Canyon river rapids only to disappear without a trace, their scow floating along a gentle pool, all the gear aboard. Glenn Hyde's father, R.C. Hyde, and Bessie Hyde's father begin a search for them, never to find their bodies, but with strange clues and leads that go nowhere.Then, wild stories years later including plausible theories, a skeleton with a bullet hole, Bessie look-a-likes.What's not to love? Best tale I've read in years. And if you're a wilderness lover, camper, or river-runner, this is your book.And, gotta love Amazon's reviewers. Upon reading the reviews, I find Dimock's got another book. Like another reviewer put it, he's as good as Krakauer, so I'm going to order it, too.

I would have rated this book five stars were it not for the unnecessarily lengthy background information on Glen and Bessie Hyde at the start of the book, which made me want to skip forward to where the ill-fated voyage begins. I would have preferred a brief description of their background, as the main interest I had was in the circumstances of their mysterious disappearance. Other than that, it is a riveting account of what could have been a headline-making trip down the Colorado River gone terribly wrong. Mr. Dimock has a gift at making us care about Glen and Bessie, and Bessie's haunting poetry, inserted as epigraphs at the start of each chapter, adds a lot to the book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history and the Southwest.

This is a spellbinding story about a young couple who disappeared while trying to navigate the length of the CO river. Well told with known facts woven into the speculation of what happened to them. While it doesn't give any definitive answers (since that is not really the point of the story anyway) it will keep you reading till the last page and enjoying it all. I recommend it highly if you love mystery, the natural world and tales of the people who are brave (or foolish) enough to get out there in it.

I had heard the story of the disappearance of honeymooners Glen and Bessie Hyde on my various trips to the Grand Canyon, but I did not know the full story. This book will be interesting for anyone who has been to the Grand Canyon or who is considering travelling there - it is a fascinating story, with lots of photos from the period and background into their lives. I am half way through the book and cannot put it down - I am not sure if the author will solve the mystery of their disappearance, but it is truly a great read and brings back very happy memories of my holidays in this beautiful area.

Poorly and boringly written

I bought this following a trip to the Grand Canyon. I found it to be interesting, balanced and very well researched. If you have heard of the story of Glen and Bessie Hyde and you want to know more, then this book is for you. I enjoyed it a lot.

Really intrigued by this book and story it told. Will probably read it again sometime.

Good read