Riding the Dragon's Back: The Great Race to Raft the Wild Yangtzee - Softcover

Bangs, Richard; Kallen, Christian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1493572385 ISBN 13: 9781493572380

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013

Synopsis

This exciting account of adventure and competition follows several expeditions to be the first to descend China's longest river, from its headwaters in Tibet to the Three Gorges region, and eventually to the East China Sea. Among the players are a megalomaniac American fishing guide, patriotic members of China's youth movement, novice boaters full of fear and experienced rafters filled with hubris, thrown together to challenge one of the world's most dangerous rivers. Originally published in 1989, and winner of a Lowell Thomas Award that year for best travel book, "Riding the Dragon's Back" has been slightly revised to emphasize the drama and excitement of its narrative of competition and challenge, although the chapters on Chinese exploration and history remain. This is modern river exploration at its best, and the book has inspired numerous whitewater enthusiasts over the years to emulate its adventurous spirit.

About this title

From Library Journal:

The third longest river (after the Amazon and Nile), the Yangtze had never been run, or fully explored, until the mid-1980s; even its Tibetan headwaters weren't confirmed until 1985. In 1986 two separate Chinese groups rushed to beat a Chinese-U.S. rafting expedition. A dozen people died and none of the groups was completely successful. The authors led an American group on the "Great Bend," a 300-mile section, in 1987. The result is much more than an account of a "last great first." It is an affectionate, awed portrait of a river and of the lands and peoples through which it passes, largely unknown to the West. It is full of research and recollection, more contemplative than Joe Kane's Running the Amazon (LJ 5/15/89). A finely written tale of exotic places, highly recommended for most libraries.
- Roland Person, Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

YA-- Explorers in any field are persistent, even foolhardy creatures, but the feats they accomplish inspire awe in us lesser mortals. Long ago, the Yangtze River was vividly described in National Geographic, whetting Bangs' appetite to raft this treacherous river "dragon." This pioneering adventure is detailed with trial, disaster, excitement, and success. Interestingly, the underlying theme of the book is self-exploration--basic human behavior in extreme circumstances, learning to work together, to share, and to appreciate a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A fascinating account with great YA appeal.
- Jenni Elliott, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, TX
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1493572385
• ISBN 13: 9781493572380
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264