The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Transformation on Wild Water

Having navigated only a few rivers, none of them virgin, my interest was piqued when a former boss of mine told me about this guy Richard Bangs she knows. So I ... read the reviews, ...Suffice it to say I sat down with the book in hand, looked up roughly three hours later, and noticed I finished the book. The last book I recall which captivated me so was Dostoevsky's Notes From Underground.In any event, the narrative is always fascinating if the prose is somewhat heavy-handed or purple at points.

When I first heard that Richard Bangs had written another book I immediately ran to. I figured that I would read it over a two week period. After work on a Friday night I picked it up and started reading. Within three pages "The Lost River" grabbed me and when I looked up it was 3:30AM. I didn't want to stop reading, but I had a lot to do the next day, so I headed straight to bed. In the morning I decided to read some more and by 2:00 in the afternoon, I was making phone calls to cancel my appointments so I could finish the book, which I did by 6:00 that evening.This story is one that will stick with me for a long time. It is not only a wonderful adventure story about how he and his partners started Sobek, his rafting company, it is also an intensly personal self examination by Mr. Bangs. He dives deep into his own feelings. Ultimately, he triumphs over these feelings and by bringing the reader along this journey with him he teaches the value of good friends, the hope of great visions and the catharsis of confronting your past, head on. This is one of the great adventure stories of all time, but for me, it also served as a "self help" book. You'll be amazed and entertained by a fabulous story while going through your own internal exam at the same time.

I enjoyed the book tremendously. At times, I could even visualise the thrilling, dangerous and frightening moments down those wild rivers. I shall now look forward to the documentary.

I enjoyed the book tremendously. At times, I could even visualise the thrilling and dangerous moments down those wild rivers. Now I can't wait to watch the documentary.

If you like adventure travel books and aren't interested in reading the fifteen thousandth book about Mt. Everest (enough already!), then you've got to read this book. A real winner. When's the movie?