Paddle to the Amazon : The Ultimate 12,000-Mile Canoe Adventure

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: This is the story of Don Starkell's incredible 12,000 mile canoe Trip from Canda to Brazil using various river systems and unfortunately a lot of dangerous coastline. A journey he started with his two sons, Dana and Jeff. Starkell says at the beginning of this book "If I'd known we were going to make it, the challenge would not have been the same." We, as the readers, of course know that he does complete his voyage - but it is by no means either straight forward or easy and in fact it contains many twists of fate along the way. I was quite surprised at just how good this book is - not just the story of the trip, but the writing. It is quite matter of fact and Don spares few punches about either his own behaviour or that of his sons. It is told mostly through what seem to be edited diary entries, there are good number of maps - each chapter has its own small map which makes following their physical progress much simpler. A very worthwhile and adventuresome read.