Author Archives: Gregory

“Continental Divide” by Maurice Isserman, reviewed by Gregory Crouch

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Gregory

Here’s “Climb Every Mountain,” my review of Continental Divide: A History of American Mountaineering by Maurice Isserman in the May 1, 2016 issue of The New York Times Book Review. (The first I’ve done for them.) Continue reading →

Posted in Book & Movie Reviews | 2 Comments

The perils of predicting the future…

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Gregory

“… it appears to me that he just as well link heaven and hell in the same speech, as Louisiana and California. I have never seen a man yet, among all the vast crowd that are here, who thinks of remaining longer than he can make a raise; and all that some ask is enough to go home on.” Continue reading →

Posted in California history | 2 Comments

“I tell you folks that’s a lie!”

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Gregory

19th Century humor: “If there is one thing a Nevada miner reveres above another, it is to hear the truth spoken at all times. A few days ago a new preacher from the East was holding forth…” Continue reading →

Posted in California history | Leave a comment

Ernest Hemingway and China’s Wings in the South China Morning Post

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Gregory

Thrilled to see this story about Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn in the Valentine’s Day edition of Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post. China’s Wings, William Bond, the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC), Emily “Mickey” Hahn, and Pan Am all get substantial mentions. And I suspect a few chunks of the story were sourced from this website. Continue reading →

Posted in China's Wings | Leave a comment

My review of “The Last Thousand” by Jeffrey E. Stern

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Gregory

“… a paean to the power of education and its potential to peacefully revolutionize a violent nation.” Continue reading →

Posted in Book & Movie Reviews | 1 Comment

My review of “The Ghosts of K2” by Mick Conefrey

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Gregory

“More than 4,000 people have reached the top of Everest. Only 376 have ever held K2’s 28,251-foot summit beneath their cold, booted feet…” Continue reading →

Posted in Book & Movie Reviews | 2 Comments

Thrilled to see Enduring Patagonia on this 10 best list

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Gregory

I’m delighted to see Enduring Patagonia on TheCultureTrip’s list of The Ten Best Books About Argentina and deeply honored to be on a list with Cortázar, Chatwin, Borges, Hernández, and Sábato. Continue reading →

Posted in Enduring Patagonia | Leave a comment

Ever wonder about the human cost of WWII?

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Gregory

Need help visualizing the true cost of the Second World War? Here’s a simple and shocking video that illustrates the staggering number of people whose lives were cut short by that terrible war. Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s and 1940s history, China's Wings | Leave a comment

Alex Honnold’s Alone on the Wall, reviewed by Gregory Crouch

Posted on November 28, 2015 by Gregory

Alex Honnold is probably the most interesting climber active in the world today. Here’s “Free Spirit,” my review of Honnold’s new book Alone on the Wall (co-authored by David Roberts) in the November 28 & 29, 2015 edition of The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book & Movie Reviews, Enduring Patagonia | 2 Comments

I propose a new word: Apocalyst

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Gregory

Apocalyst. Definition: (n) The Thanksgiving shopping list.

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Posted in Oddities & Off topics | Leave a comment