The Great Wall of China and the Salton Sea : Monuments, Missteps, and the Audacity of Ambition

We've been building and making things ever since we stumbled out of Paradise. Some of those things are incredible continuations of God's creation, while others are nothing but ambitious catastrophes. We continue making, says Russell Rathbun, but we've lost ourselves in the process. So how do we find ourselves again—rebuild our connections to each other, the earth, maybe even God? In search of an answer, Rathbun drives cross-country to the Salton Sea and takes a trip to China's Great Wall, interspersing his traveling revelations with engaging musings on Madame Mao's Gang of Four, Grandpa Webb's family secret, the Great Flood and the Tower of Babel, and a host of other subjects that grab his attention. With cheeky wit and sharp insight, Rathbun uncovers a way of finding ourselves and the deep connections we long for in an increasingly complex world. How History's Triumphs And Failures Shape Our Search For Ourselves We've Been Building And Making Things Ever Since We Stumbled Out Of Paradise. Some Of Them Are Incredible Continuations Of God's Creation, While Others Are Simply Ambitious Catastrophes. We Continue Making, Says Russell Rathbun, But We've Lost Ourselves In The Process. So How Do We Find Ourselves Again -- Rebuild Our Connections To Each Other, The Earth, Maybe Even God? In Search Of An Answer, Rathbun Drives Cross-country To The Salton Sea And Takes A Trip To China's Great Wall, Interspersing His Traveling Revelations With Engaging Musings On Madame Mao's Gang Of Four, Grandpa Webb's Family Secret, The Great Flood And The Tower Of Babel, And A Host Of Other Subjects That Grab His Attention. With Cheeky Wit And Sharp Insight, Rathbun Uncovers A Way Of Finding Ourselves And The Deep Connections We Long For In An Increasingly Complex World. We've been building and making things ever since we stumbled out of Paradise. Some of those things are incredible continuations of God's creation, while others are nothing but ambitious catastrophes. We continue making, says Russell Rathbun, but we've lost ourselves in the process. So how do we find ourselves again--rebuild our connections to each other, the earth, maybe even God? In search of an answer, Rathbun drives cross-country to the Salton Sea and takes a trip to China's Great Wall, interspersing his traveling revelations with engaging musings on Madame Mao's Gang of Four, Grandpa Webb's family secret, the Great Flood and the Tower of Babel, and a host of other subjects that grab his attention. With cheeky wit and sharp insight, Rathbun uncovers a way of finding ourselves and the deep connections we long for in an increasingly complex world. - from publisher