Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Jo Deurbrouck's Story of Adventure, Friendship and Tragedy on the Last of the West's Great Rivers

Anything Worth Doing: A true story of adventure, friendship and tragedy on the last of the West's great rivers, by Jo Deurbrouck

During this program, Chérie Newman talks with Jo Deurbrouck about her nonfiction book, Anything Worth Doing: A true story of adventure, friendship and tragedy on the last of the West's great rivers, which won a 2012 National Outdoor Book Award.

Anything Worth Doing tells the unforgettable true story of larger-than-life whitewater raft guides Clancy Reece and Jon Barker, two men who share a love of wild rivers and an unbending will to live life on their terms, no matter the cost.

Clancy’s motto, ‘Anything worth doing is worth overdoing,’ leads them into a decade of beautiful—and beautifully strange—river adventures. Then, on June 8, 1996, in pursuit of a 24-hour speed record they intend to share only with a handful of friends, the men launch Clancy’s handmade dory, his proudest possession, onto Idaho’s renowned Salmon River at peak flood of an extreme high water year. This time the odds catch up with them.

Visit Jo Deurbrouck's Web site.

Jo Deurbrouck
Jo Deurbrouck

The Write Question on Facebook

Award winning author Jo Deurbrouck is a former whitewater raft guide and a frequent wanderer down the rivers, up the mountains, and through the deserts, forests, and canyons of the West. She co-authored one previous nonfiction book, authored its revision, and has contributed to the Washington Post , Christian Science Monitor , Paddler Magazine , Creative Nonfiction , The Spokesman-Review and other publications. She holds a M.A. in English from Boise State University. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two dogs.

(Broadcasts: January 31 and June 6, 2013 and March 30, 2017)

The Write Question blog
The Write Question on Facebook
The Write Question podcast

Chérie Newman is a former arts and humanities producer and on-air host for Montana Public Radio, and a freelance writer. She founded and previously hosted a weekly literary program, The Write Question, which continues to air on several public radio stations; it is also available online at PRX.org and MTPR.org.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content