AMAZON WOMAN Facing Fears, Chasing Dreams, and My Quest to Kayak the Largest River from Source to Sea

A narrator needs to sound strong to deliver a one-of-a kind adventure story, and Laura Jennings fully succeeds. The natural huskiness in her voice matches the author's determination to become the first woman to kayak the Amazon River from its source to the sea. Gaechter is leading two other explorers on the river, and Jennings amps up the adrenaline as the team dodges mining explosions, Shining Path rebels, and a handful of near-death mishaps in the ever-changing water. She softens her delivery, in turn, as the author marvels at wildlife, connects with locals, and shares her insecurities about continuing a life on the river through middle age. Hearing how Gaechter pulls off an expedition of this breadth is audio listening at its most exciting. J.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2020]