Running the Amazon

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Summary: Review by nat'l news mag wrong!
Review: The "Time", or was it "Newsweek", review was wrong. This is an exciting, thrilling adventure full of human drama, insight and a look at a world 99% of US citizens know nothing about. I usually do not read books of this genre, but the "bad" review in one of the country's leading 'news' magazines was intriguing enough for me to order it from my local book store.
I was fascinated by Kane's descriptions of the local citizens in Peru with coca juice running out of their mouths, mile-high canyons where the sun can barely be seen, rebels shooting at them from cliff tops, to supposed head-hunters chasing them on the river.
This is one book where I am glad I did not follow the advice of a "professional" reviewer and ignore it. I enjoyed it so much, I gave my only copy to my mother, who put it into her retirement community's library for others to enjoy.

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Summary: A must read for outdoor recreation leaders and guides.
Review: "Runnig The Amazon" is full of excited adventures from locating the head waters to coming to the ocean. But as a wilderness leader I found this book to be like a textbook for styles of leadership and group dynamics.

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Summary: Not the best in the genre.
Review: Chronicle of Kane's voyage from one end of the Amazon all the way to the other. Full of mountain climbs, rafting adventures, and tales of the local culture. Also full of a lot of arguing and back-stabbing (the group who set out to do this were not the best of friends). I enjoyed parts of this, but it got pretty bogged down in places. Enjoyed Tracy Johnston's "Shooting the Boh" much more and recommend it over this one.

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Summary: Fantastic, this is a real adventure.
Review: Found this book a page turner. I could not wait for the next page. The one bummer was that this book convinced me that kayaking the Amazon is not for me. Too hard and too much out of your control. Bullets, killer whirlpools, crazy locals, out of their mind leaders... No way, I am staying put, doing my little triathlons and leaving that stuff to people like Joe and Piotr. A Must read. *****

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic, this is a real adventure.
Review: Found this book a page turner. I could not wait for the next page. The one bummer was that this book convinced me that kayaking the Amazon is not for me. Too hard and too much out of your control. Bullets, killer whirlpools, crazy locals, out of their mind leaders... No way, I am staying put, doing my little triathlons and leaving that stuff to people like Joe and Piotr. A Must read. *****

Rating:
Summary: Well written travel adventure
Review: Gives reader a feel for the geography, the dangers of the trip, and the personalities involved.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Details
Review: I first heard of this book when Mr. Kane came and spoke at my high school in around 1990. The slides he showed us were unbelievable in the beauty and jagged violence of the natural surroundings. I think what impressed me most was that when Mr. Kane entered the journey he was not an expert kayaker. His growth, visible through the naration of the journey, was insperational to say the least. I still enjoy re-reading this book today. My only complaint (and the minor reason I give this book four stars, and not five) was my dissapointment in the ending. Mr. Kane described in detail the extreme physical punishment and mental and social isolation he experienced on the journey and I had hoped to read more about his re-integration to American society, along with his body's recovery from the abuse it recieved during its 6 month ordeal. Still, a great book, and very worthwhile read.

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Summary: Epic Adventure
Review: I found "Running the Amazon" to be very interesting and hard to put down once I started reading. Joe Kane a San Francisco writer in his office and several months later involved in the trip of a lifetime. Great descriptions on the team members and how they interacted under pressure. I almost felt as though I was in the kayak each day as Kane's aching hands and arms took the abuse of a 3,500+ mile paddle trip down the Amazon. Good reading and wonderful example of never giving up and lifelong frienships.

Rating:
Summary: Very hard to read
Review: I have been trying to get into this book, seem to read a few pages and then put it down and read another book. I am not very far into it,dont know if I will finish it. I have been reading travel/adventure books for a few months now, all have been so exciting except this one.

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Summary: the first ever full-river traverse of the Amazon River
Review: I heard Joe Kane describe his trip on NPR's "Fresh Air" by Terry Gross. Joe Kane was so engaging that I immediately ordered the book.Joe Kane originally signed up with the expedition to chronicle the trip. The expedition planning can be described as haphazard and due to a shortage of people, Joe Kane ended up on the river.Joe Kane and Piotr Chmielinski, the famous Polish kayaker known as "El Polacko" in the South American countries, were the only two members of the expedition to paddle the whole river. Jerome Truran and Kate Durrant supported the two after they all finished the severe whitewater. The story is so intense that I could only read one chapter at a sitting. I wanted to take the time to reflect on the action and the events. The story is amazing. The whitewater, the expedition members, the Sendero Luminiso revolutionaries, the weather, and the natives are all part of the trip. It is important to remember that Joe Kane had very little river experience and he had no idea that he would be on the river at the start of the trip. You will understand the river experience from an author who was truly awed.