Ordinary-interest

What were these guys thinking? In September, 1999, three young men set out to float the length of the Amazon River in a rubber raft for the sheer thrill of it. No National Geographic sponsorship, no high-end gear, no support team--just plenty of guts and a desire to do something that had never been done before. Having sailed around the world at the age of 19, author Colin Angus was no stranger to adventure. But he had only one season of river-rafting experience and that was more than the other two members of the expedition combined--hardly impressive credentials for such an ambitious, even foolhardy, exploit. After an auspicious start in which they nearly died of dehydration before even reaching the source of the river, they put their small raft in the water and experienced one adrenaline rush after another, including countless raging rapids, scarce food and clean water, and even Shining Path guerrillas. Refreshingly devoid of bravado and boasting, Angus at times makes the trip sound as if it was just another weekend jaunt into the woods rather than a five-month endurance test. That they survived at all is amazing enough--how they did it makes for an exciting and enjoyable read. The writing itself is not stellar, but they are a likable trio with pure intentions, and Angus, with help from journalist Ian Mulgrew, has created an enthusiastic recollection of the adventure of a lifetime. --Shawn Carkonen