Search the Fresh Air Archive

Close Search

Joe Kane Discusses "Running the Amazon."

Writer Joe Kane. In 1985, Kane, who had been a freelance writer living in San Francisco, was asked to follow the first attempt to navigate the entire Amazon river, starting in the Andes of Peru and ending in the Atlantic Ocean. Kane was going to follow the group at intervals, publicizing their progress for the American and European press. But the logistics of the trip quickly fell apart and Kane went from observer to participant in a harrowing journey through some of the most difficult rapids in the world, and through territory controlled by the Shining Path guerrillas and Peruvian drug lords. In the end, only Kane and a companion were left to kayak the 3,600 miles of calm waters to the Atlantic. Kane's account of his odyssey is titled "Running the Amazon." (Rebroadcast. Original date 8/2/89).

53:24
Queue

Guest

Host

Related Topics

Other segments from the episode on February 21, 1990

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, February 21, 1990: Interview with Joe Kane; Review of Sir Thomas Beecham's albums "The Salomon Symphonies, Vols. 1 & 2"; Interview with Roy Ahmaogak; Commentary on Prince…
Queue
06:57

Recordings That Ought to Be Models for All Haydn Performances.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews some newly reissued recordings of Haydn symphonies by the English conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. He says Beecham is one of the few conductors who understands how Haydn should be played. (the recording's on EMI records).

Review
Queue
11:02

Roy Ahmaogak Offers the Iñupiat Perspective on the Whale Hunt.

Roy Ahmaogak lives in Barrow, Alaska and during the whaling season hunts bow head whales for food. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were also whalers. Ahmaogak was the person who spotted the three gray whales trapped in the ice in Barrow that drew such media attention. A recent book by Tom Rose about the trapped whales has drawn criticism from residents of Barrow who feel they were misrepresented by Rose. We talk to Ahmaogak about whaling and native life in Barrow.

Interview
Queue
03:48

Nostalgia for Language.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg gives his views on Prince Charles' campaign to save the English language.

Commentary

Transcript

Transcript currently not available.

Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

You May Also like

Queue
22:52

Joe Kane Discusses "Running the Amazon."

Writer Joe Kane. In 1985, Kane, who had been a freelance writer living in San Francisco, was asked to follow the first attempt to navigate the entire Amazon River, starting in the Andes of Peru and ending in the Atlantic Ocean. Kane was going to follow the group at intervals, publicizing their progress for the American and European press.

Interview
Queue
06:39

Book Suggestions For A Passionate Holiday.

The act of passing on a passion is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Book critic Maureen Corrigan promises that the books on this list — mostly slim, unforgettable volumes about places or things that the writers themselves deeply love — are merrily infectious.

Review
Queue
20:48

Adventure Writer Randy Wayne White.

Adventure writer Randy Wayne White. He wrote the "Out There" column for "Outside" magazine for many years. He's now a monthly columnist for "Men's Health" and is the author of the new book, "The Sharks of Lake Nicaragua: True tales of adventure, travel, and fishing." (The Lyons Press).

Interview

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Learn How
Advertisement

Recently on Fresh Air Available to Play on NPR

52:30

Daughter of Warhol star looks back on a bohemian childhood in the Chelsea Hotel

Alexandra Auder's mother, Viva, was one of Andy Warhol's muses. Growing up in Warhol's orbit meant Auder's childhood was an unusual one. For several years, Viva, Auder and Auder's younger half-sister, Gaby Hoffmann, lived in the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. It was was famous for having been home to Leonard Cohen, Dylan Thomas, Virgil Thomson, and Bob Dylan, among others.

Queue

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

43:04

This fake 'Jury Duty' really put James Marsden's improv chops on trial

In the series Jury Duty, a solar contractor named Ronald Gladden has agreed to participate in what he believes is a documentary about the experience of being a juror--but what Ronald doesn't know is that the whole thing is fake.

Queue

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

See All Recent Segments

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue