The voyage began in the lunar terrain of the Peruvian Andes, where coca leaf is the only remedy against altitude sickness. It continued down rapids...
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Feb 29, 2008
Suzanne
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Clearly written by an excellent journalist this is a true story about Mr. Kane's expedition on the Amazon, from its source high in the Andes, to its end. His descriptions of the geography, topography and native cultures make it a memorable read, particularly to those interested in South American native culture.
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Jun 08, 2009
Jo
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I liked this book for its well-crafted descriptions. I liked it better yet for its insights into what can go right -- and wrong -- in an adventure team.
But i loved it for its closing words, which said something I've tried to put into words most of my life, just exactly right: "Without a doubt, running the Amazon was the looniest thing I've ever done. That I survived was a matter of luck as much as anything else. I felt relieved when we finished and was happy to get home. I own a More...
But i loved it for its closing words, which said something I've tried to put into words most of my life, just exactly right: "Without a doubt, running the Amazon was the looniest thing I've ever done. That I survived was a matter of luck as much as anything else. I felt relieved when we finished and was happy to get home. I own a More...
Aug 19, 2009
Beth
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A 1989 personal account of a group who began at a tributory high in the Andes and their trials and tribulations with kayaks, rafts, insects, money for supplies, the various Amazon rivers and their conditions, and people they encountered. I read this because we will be cruising from Manaus to the Atlantic ocean in Jan, the last 1000miles of Joe Kane's journey which he detailed the least other than telling about its ongoing ecological destruction at that time. What I enjoyed the most was the ea
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Apr 08, 2010
Virginia
rated it:
Excellent adventure! Wonderful writing!
The story of the first source to sea trip written by a journalist. His descriptions of the journey and human interactions are excellent.
*I learned about the Amazon from the bleak and frigid mountains, down rapids, through the jungle, finally out to the sea.
*I learned about the people who live on the Amazon - the indigenous peoples, farmers, drug lords, village and big city dwellers.
*I learned about leadership - how a true l More...
The story of the first source to sea trip written by a journalist. His descriptions of the journey and human interactions are excellent.
*I learned about the Amazon from the bleak and frigid mountains, down rapids, through the jungle, finally out to the sea.
*I learned about the people who live on the Amazon - the indigenous peoples, farmers, drug lords, village and big city dwellers.
*I learned about leadership - how a true l More...
Feb 06, 2010
Drew
rated it: 
I like books about paddling and this was a good addition. If you want to measure how tough you are,read this adventure and then ask yourself if you could endure what the expedition party endured. This is also the second adventure book I've read where group dynamics proved significant. Whether mountain climbing or running a dangerous river,you better be sure everyone involved is really compatible.
My only criticism of the book is the author's failure to include an epilogue. I had sever More...
My only criticism of the book is the author's failure to include an epilogue. I had sever More...
Jan 25, 2009
Bonnie Jeanne
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This is one of the first travel narratives I ever read and I have no idea what it was that attracted me to the book. I have no desire to go screaming down a raging river in a thin boat, nor do I have a particular interest in this part of the world (well, no more than I have in any part of the world which is to say I would love to visit most anywhere, but there are some places I want to visit lots more). Anyway...I am glad for whatever it was that drew me to this book more than 15 years ago, beca
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Nov 27, 2011
Dan
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A journalist who can't kayak joins an expedition to follow the Amazon from its source high in the Andes to its conclusion flowing into the ocean. He does a decent job of describing the incredible experience (escaping near-death from rapids, the Shining Path guerrillas, drug lords, seeing poor villages that never have contact with the outside world), but it is continually tiring that the expedition leader seems almost incompetent, yet jealously guards his supposed authority.
Dec 17, 2009
Bobo
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Kane is a straightforward author, and he doesn't clutter this book with an inflated sense of style. His journalistic background shows as he manages to both detach himself from much of the drama and tension of a 12,000-mile voyage down the Amazon, as well as thrust himself into its center.
Experiencing Kane as he grows into a role he never envisioned at the start of the trip makes him an endearing autobiographer, while his keen observations of the life both in the party and in village More...
Experiencing Kane as he grows into a role he never envisioned at the start of the trip makes him an endearing autobiographer, while his keen observations of the life both in the party and in village More...
Feb 09, 2012
Sarah
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Three strong stars for clear, honest journalistic writing and a bonus star for the incredible feat of kayaking and rafting the Amazon from its source to the sea. Thanks to Outside magazine for drawing my attention to this 1985 expedition. The book ended on a great note, but an epilogue would have been nice.
Nov 18, 2009
Karen
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I thought his tone was patronizing, and the descriptions of the culture shortsighted. He considered himself a "sophisticate" bringing "news of the modern world to wide-eyed primitives". That, in a nutshell, is his attitude towards a large percentage of the Peruvian and Brazilian population. (Sorry Marcie)
Aug 23, 2009
Lee
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My copy of this book is littered with post-it tags and notes. It has given me an interesting look into the world I'm writing about with Gaia Girls Air Apparent. Kane's writing of the people and places from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean are vivid and wonderful. It is an impressive tale.
Oct 02, 2007
Blaire
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The beginning of this book, which starts in the high Andes, is the best part. It's a riveting adventure story about a surprisingly diverse team of people attempting to descend from the mountains on a wild and relatively unknown stretch of the Amazon. I found the descriptions of the environment fascinating. The conflicts among the a team under stress added to the suspense. You'd have to be kind of nuts in the first place to attempt what these guys did. Once the descent from the mountains is
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Mar 27, 2010
David
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tightly written about 3 young men who carry their supplies from the Chilean coast over the Andes and pick up their whitewater kayaks in Cusco, Peru. Continue on down using the headwaters of a river to eventually move into the Amazon R and coast out to the Amazonian delta.
Dec 06, 2010
Kris
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This book inspired my source-to-sea paddle of the Potomac, and is an excellent immerse into the Amazon. At it's core though, this is a book about will and competence and leadership - Joe Kane wrote an excellent account of a profoundly challenging experience.
Jul 10, 2010
Peter
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Feb 01, 2009
gabrielle
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Story of the first people to boat the entire length of the Amazon. For some reason, all the kayaking adventure stories I read have at least one completely delusional egomaniac on the team. (HMMM!)
Mar 11, 2011
Dan
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Amazing story of the first men to kayak the entire length of the Amazon in 1985. Good companion book to River of Doubt about a similar trip on a different river by Teddy Roosevelt.
Jul 03, 2010
Ann
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I read this a long time ago but I think it is still relevant today for anyone who wants a great adventure story. Joe Kane is a good writer.
Mar 08, 2008
Isabel
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En 1985 un grupo de 10 personas de diversas nacionalidades, credos y profesiones comienzan la aventura de recorrer el rio Amazonas desde su nacimiento en las montañas de Perú hasta su desembocadura en el mar Atlantico. Tras superar inmensas dificultades como el frio de los Andes, el encuentro en la selva con un grupo guerrillero, avanzar por el río a través de rápidos que hasta para los expertos eran complicados solo de sus miembros logran el objetivo. Este libro me gustó mucho y recomiendo su
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Apr 15, 2010
Brian
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It took me a while to read this one, although I'm not sure why. I found the book to be interesting and somewhat inspiring in that it made me want to go back to Peru. I wish I would have read the book prior to backpacking last year as it would have given me a much better appreciation of some of the places I saw, camped, etc. Perhaps my next trip will be a river trip!
Aug 19, 2011
ingrid
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This is a story of one of the five most important explorations in recent times...1 or 2 people kayaking the Amazon (660 kilometers) from its source in the Andes of Peru, where they were freezing and had altitude sickness, to the mouth of the Amazon at the Atlantic. Took them 6 months. A harrowing and yet human tale. Very well written and very gripping
Feb 06, 2011
Megan
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 30, 2008
Merris
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I read "Running the Amazon" shortly after returning from a trip to Peru, and was sorely disappointed. I was expecting...something! I would have loved to hear more about the history, the culture, and what a lifesource the amazing river provides more than how the author had a sore on his butt. I was not excited or inspired.
Dec 16, 2009
Mads
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I just bought it because it was on sale. Little did I know I'd be re-reading it for months! Again, another book that teaches me not to whine about the small inconveniences of travel like worrying about one's appearance, smell, small wounds, getting lost, etc. The important thing is to have a quest.
Oct 07, 2009
Marcie
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Wow. Amazing journey and writing. Highly recommended for adventure readers. This one was on Outside Magazine's 25 best list with good reason.
Dec 16, 2009
Pallavi
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This book is a true story. Did you know that the Amazon River source starts high up in the Andes mountains? It's an amazing true story of how the author made it alive from the start to the end of this once in a lifetime expedition and lived to tell about it.
