River Monsters: True Stories of the Ones that Didn't Get Away

by Jeremy Wade

I’m Jeremy Wade, biologist and fishing detective. For twenty-five years, I’ve explored our planet’s remotest rivers and lakes, hunting for monster-sized fish. It’s become something of an obsession for me. . . .  Called “the greatest angling explorer of his generation” ( Independent on Sunday ), Jeremy Wade, host of Animal Planet’s wildly popular TV series River Monsters , takes viewers where no wildlife program has gone before, revealing the creatures that lurk in the murky depths of our planet’s inland waterways. Now, Wade goes truly beneath the surface, disclosing full details of how he tracks down and catches each species while also recounting the off-camera highlights of his extraordinary life. From his arrest as a suspected spy in Southeast Asia to a plane crash in the Amazon, every page of River Monsters is packed with adventure. Each chapter unfolds an enthralling detective story, where fishermen’s tales of underwater man-eaters and aquatic killers are subjected to scientific scrutiny. Follow Wade step-by-step as, armed with just a fishing line, he closes in on his prey and separates fact from fiction. From the heart of the Congo, where he wrestles with supernatural goliath tigerfish, to the depths of the Amazon, where the most feared creature is one that could fit in your palm, the results are fish of staggering proportions and terrifying demeanor. Wade also reveals monsters from upcoming episodes, including deadly electric eels, a giant described as a cross between a shark and a chainsaw, and a snake-like beast that truly is the stuff of legend. In the tradition of the most gripping adventure writing, River Monsters shows that there’s more to this world than what’s visible on the surface. As Wade says, with a fishing line anything is possible—sometimes it can even reveal the future, or at least one possible version of it. In similar fashion, Wade’s writings are much more than exhilarating they reveal a vision of the world more awe-inspiring than any individual myth made flesh. Ultimately, River Monsters explores the real mysteries that still exist, capturing the story of one man’s obsession—and his relentless pursuit of the truth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Animals, Travel, Biography, Memoir

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Jeremy Wade is a British television presenter, an author of books on angling, and a biologist. He is known for his television series River Monsters.

He has a degree in zoology from Bristol University and a postgrad teaching certificate in biological sciences from the University of Kent, and has worked as a secondary school biology teacher.

He grew up in south-east England, on the banks of the Suffolk Stour, where his fascination with the underwater world began - and the desire to always see "what's around the next bend". His first overseas trip was to the mountain rivers of India in 1982, and since then he has increasingly spent his time tracking down large and little-known fish in rivers around the world - particularly in the Congo and Amazon rainforests.

"I don't see myself as a particularly expert angler," he says. "But what I am able to do is get into the kinds of places where outsiders don't normally go, with enough energy left to put a line in the water. Teaming up with local fishermen is vital to success, and what's great about this approach is that you get to see beneath the surface of diverse human cultures too."

In between catching fish (or, on some journeys, not catching fish), he has also caught malaria, been detained as a suspected spy, narrowly escaped drowning, been threatened at gunpoint, and survived a plane crash.

In 1992 he co-wrote (with Paul Boote) 'Somewhere Down The Crazy River' - a book that is considered to be one of the classics of angling literature. He has also written on travel and natural history for publications including The Times, Guardian, Sunday Telegraph, The Field and BBC Wildlife magazine.

During his career he has achieved a number of notable 'firsts'. These include filming a large mystery creature in an Amazon lake (dubbed 'the Amazon Nessie' by BBC Wildlife magazine), and getting the first underwater footage (with cameraman Rick Rosenthal) of the 'Giant Devil Catfish' in India.

His first TV series, Jungle Hooks, filmed in 2002 for Discovery Europe, was one of the most-watched shows on multichannel TV when it was released, and has since been seen by audiences around the world. River Monsters, his most recent series, has achieved the highest ever audience figures in the history of Animal Planet. A third season of River Monsters will be broadcast in 2011.

When not camped beside a remote river, Jeremy lives in Somerset, England, in the countryside near Bath.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I should mention I'm going to marry Jeremy Wade, so I'm entirely biased and adore every word out of his mouth. I did the audiobook version read by him, so all the better. I enjoy fishing, though I'm no good at it, and I love good monster stories that lean toward folk legend. That all said, fun book. He revisits his River Monsters haunts and offers more background into what went into his amazing catches.

What really stands out is the heart Wade exposes regarding his life and his work. The injuries he's sustained from his travels are no joke. The remorse he expresses at having caused the death of a fish he only wanted to glimpse is touching. The intelligence he displays regarding technique, fish behavior, the environment, and fish adaptability is fascinating. This is a man truly interested in the conservation of our fishy friends and you can't help mourning alongside him that for some species, it's too late.

I'd like to go chapter by chapter and compare them with the corresponding episodes. Go for it! The great mystery he presents in the beginning actually has a payoff, so...have no fear.

[BismarckGamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

River Monsters is, by a long way, the best book about fishing I’ve ever read. Yet, it is so much more than a book about fishing. While Jeremy captures the precise chaos of fishing in a paradoxically perfect convention defying descriptive style, he does so lovingly. Fishing can be a fairly brutal hobby (for the fish), but there is clear care for the animals in Jeremy’s handling of them. It’s also a true tale of far flung adventure, through dangerous rainforest and suspicious border stations. Furthermore, River Monsters is a biologically fascinating book that explores fish behaviour, anatomy and evolution for the expert or the layman. Surprisingly, it’s also a deeply personal book. A deep dive on Jeremy, his life, his views, and his devotion to fish. In the end, River Monsters serves to desensationalise ‘monsters’ and recognise their key ecological role for ‘the day the last monster dies is the day the river dies too. And when that happens we’re not far behind.’

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like you are sitting down for a pint with Jeremy, and that is exactley how it should be.

[Jeremiah Seyrak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t quite like it; I was expecting more than just a recount of his catches. I was expecting a deeper look into his career. Also, his writing style wasn’t for me; I often caught myself daydreaming between lines.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love how he has written this book. I am not a fisherman and have never found fishing or fishing shows interesting, but he brings this pastime to life in a way that makes the reader want to find out next. The detail with which he chronicles his life both current and in the past will keep readers enthralled. If you like audiobooks better he is the narrator of this audiobook.

[Batgrl (Book Data Kept Elsewhere) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I should admit that I love the River Monsters television program, partly because of the many fishing trips in my childhood - ah, fishing nostalgia. I also studied documentary film in grad school, so I'm always up for an animal/travel documentary. Those are my biases right up front, and so I was predisposed to enjoy the book.

I read River Monsters hoping for more background on what it was like to film in such difficult situations, and the book definitely provided many interesting stories, some specifically about the difficulty of filming for television (and under a deadline). One thing I hadn't expected was so much background on Wade, the author, and why he has a continued to look for fish in such obscure places - not to mention how he started making such trips in the first place. It's very much a personal mission for him and not just a sport - his catch-and-release mode of fishing is not just for the camera. Wade repeatedly stresses the problems of a diminishing fish population as well as loss of habitat. The book's bibliography was a plus, though sadly many of the texts are ones that are no longer in print (because I did want to hunt down a few!).

A quote to give you an idea of Wade's style:

Page 148 - on having caught his first river stingray
"...I'm momentarily transfixed, torn between curiosity and fear. I can pull it up the gently sloping mud bank, but then what? Already thought is lagging behind events, as the blotchy brown mass slides up wet mud toward me, its amorphous margins flowing into the craters left by retreating feet. In the center of the yard-wide disc is a raised turret where two eyes open and close, flashing black. And it's bellowing. A loud rhythmic sound that is at first inexplicable until I realize that those blinking eyes are its spiracles, now sucking in air instead of water, which it is pumping out via gill slits on its underside. And all the while it brandishes that blade, stabbing the air like a scorpion..."

And a quote about how an early attempt didn't work out:

Page 56
"...The Congo trip was a disaster. The destination this time was the People's Republic of Congo, the former French colony west of Zaire - and a more user-friendly part of the river. But again water conditions were wrong... In the end we floated down on a log raft that was steered by a small tug skippered by an incompetent drunkard. I had persuaded Martin to join us on this adventure of a lifetime, and it did indeed live up to its billing. He remembers to this day the moment a Congolese man stepped over my prone body as I lay passed out with chronic malaria. "I thought I was going to come back home without you," he's told me many times since. "The man just shrugged and said it was possible that you were going to die."

From these quotes you can see that Wade is describing not the usual quiet fishing trip, but hardships and bizarre creatures. It's not all action - there are many more sections of thoughtful descriptions and Wade's concerns for the future of certain fish. If you enjoyed Wade's television program but wished more detail about the places, the wildlife, and the science, then you should find this an enjoyable read.

[MCalhen MCalhen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm actually afraid of fish and have been since I was young. I could use the show and this book as proof that my fears are well-founded, but instead, I've found both theraputic. I always thought I was wimpy. Who fears fish? And people made fun of me for it. Yet I can deal with most snakes and even hold some of them, and I don't flee the room when I see a spider on the wall. So when my mom first started watching River Monsters, I wasn't sure I could stand to be in the room. I hurried out of the living room - but something drew me back in. Next thing I realized, I was regularly watching the show. I anticipate the next season!

As an avid reader, I was delighted to find out about this book. (And his other, which I will be hunting down, I hope.)

I'd heard that this book was written well, and after finding a copy at the local library, I discovered how much truth there is to that statement. I suppose I couldn't expect less of Jeremy Wade. After finishing this book today, I feel an even deeper respect for many creatures that used to give me panic attacks and nightmares. They still do, but I feel that I'm steps closer to ever conquering my phobia. I've always had a respect and fascination mingled with the horror, but fish always seemed formidable foes that kept me away from tanks in aquariums/zoos and out of bodies of water. I can honestly say that I feel less inclined to be so frightened, even if I still won't dangle my feet over water where fish might be lurking underneath. Even the nightmares have tapered away. I can look at photographs and view footage of these river dwellers and my heart beat doesn't speed up the way it used to.

This book was very informative - while recapping much of what I'd seen in the show, there were plenty of added anecdotes I found interesting. This was an enjoyable read, and I wouldn't mind it if he ever wrote more books. In fact, I really hope he does. I've learned a great deal about fishing methods around the world, which feeds my thirst for cultural knowledge. I'm seeing progress for the first time when it comes to my phobia - something I've struggled with years to deal with, but never could.

I suppose it takes the voice of someone who admires fish to make such headway on my fears. I suppose it is his passion and honesty that speaks to me.

I will probably - when money allows - buy this permanently for my collection. And I really recommend it to anyone who cares for nature. One doesn't have to fish to appreciate this book or the show.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've all heard a fisherman’s tale before – those far-fetched stories concerning ‘the ones that got away’ shared in the corner of dimly lit pubs by liquor-soaked men with missing teeth. Well, oddly enough, it turns out some of them were true.

Of course, zoologist and extreme angler Jeremy Wade has known this for a long time and, for the past twenty-five years, he’s been travelling the world collecting the stories of ferocious freshwater attacks previously written off as folklore by the masses. From tales of sharks attacking horses at river crossings (yes, sharks in rivers!), to spiked fish lodging themselves inside gentlemen’s nether regions, it really is incredible how many of the myths Wade investigates in River Monsters turn out to be fact.

From the opening sentence, it’s clear Wade can write (he’s previously been employed as a copywriter and reporter) and he works intrigue and imagery into his prose with a skilled hand. It's a good job he's able to, as well, because River Monsters is far, far more than just a transcript of Animal Planet’s primetime television series of the same name. It’s the story of Wade himself, of a man who wandered through his early adult life lost, until his passion for adventure and the natural world was reignited, and, with it, his sense of direction and purpose.

And what a passion he has. You can feel it coursing through every sentence, and when he’s stalking creatures with names like the goliath tigerfish, the alligator garr or the Illiamna lake monster, it’s easy to get caught up in Wade’s enthusiasm. His knowledge of the creatures he’s hunting and the history of locations he hunts them is brilliant, too; one particular highlight is Wade’s recurring comparison of his exploits to those of past explorers, including none other than Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt (after an election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt left America in order to explore a perilous tributary of the Amazon River).

Naturally, the question that comes to mind with a book like this is; what’s here for non-anglers. Well, the emphasis is on the fauna and exotic locations, not on bait rigs or tackle selection, and those solely interested in the natural world will much prefer it that way. But the passages on local peoples – tribal and otherwise – and the personal accounts of Wade’s experiences with them are the book's surprise strength - they're arguably more fascinating than the river monsters themselves.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Englishman Wade is the craggy-faced host of Animal Planet’s River Monsters whose motto is that "there is more to this world than what’s visible on the surface." Where you and I wake up groggy on Opening Day and try for a trophy perch, Wade travels to far-away places like the Himalayas looking for, say, the human-eating goonch. After his six-year investigation of the “mythic fifteen-foot air-breather” arapaima got him some notoriety, Wade took it further with this
“series of such investigations into the murky world of fisherman’s tales. Wade’s stoic tone and dry humor belie his exuberance in poking at unseen river beasts like mahseer, striped tigerfish, and giant grouper. The excitement sometimes makes the book confusing or seemingly sloppy, but it is every bit as compelling as Badass: A Relentless Onslaught of the Toughest Warlords, Vikings, Samurai, Pirates, Gunfighters, and Military Commanders to Ever Live. The photos of Wade posing with otherworldly river fish are great, and not all of them are foreign: Alaska is home to the Lake Iliamna lake monster (most likely a white sturgeon, a Google image search for which is well worth your while).

Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Schaefme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for passionate, obsessive men and one that writes as well as Jeremy Wade is not to be overloooked. ahem. Having seen most of his tv series, I was pleasantly surprised to find he's an excellent writer, the sort who throws in enough details to make you "see" the distant countries and people (and fish) he writes of. There's far more background in his book and honest accounting of his life and character...I admire him. I dont know whether it was a better travel book, fishing book, or adventure book but I finished it in one weekend.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better written than I was expecting, Jeremy Wade's fascinating look at big fresh-water fish has the enjoyable fright factor fans will want but also a deep and abiding love of the fish, which are respected as more than just something to catch. When the last river monster dies, the river will too . . . well said, Mr. Wade.

[Ming Wei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, this is the book and TV series, which inspired my writings, and began my path from a book reader to a writer. This book is so interesting, so many stories, very influencial towards my writing career and the Ocean World Book Series that I created. Brilliantly writen, takes place of pride in my book collection.

[Zac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the River Monsters show so I picked up the book. It was enjoyable, but I think it is ideally for people who have not seen the show since a lot is repeated if you have already watched. Some interesting insights though. Would recommend if it's your thing.

[Jenn C · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The rod creaks in pain, it's Kevlar and carbon-fiber sinews surely about to transform into splinters. ... The line sings a high, tinny note as a tail like a black flag breaks the surface..."

My grandfather fished his entire life. He taught me how to fish and how to paddle a canoe (both of which I sucked at, but that's besides the point...). I haven't held a rod in years, but I still have a fascination with life under the depths. I watch all the documentaries about sharks I can get my hot little hands on and started watching River Monsters not long after it started (though in small, incomplete doses as I only had access to Discovery and I am ditz when it comes to remembering when shows are scheduled. I thus recently bought the first five seasons. ;)

When I discovered that my local library carried River Monsters: True Stories of the Ones that Didn't Get Away, I knew I had to read it. Jeremy Wade is a fascinating presentor, a fisherman, a biologist and a ecologist. Not only do viewers get to relive the thrill of the hunt, but are also educated and entertained.

The book is just as entertaining. While it does go over the same grounds as some of the episodes, it also gives the reader a glimpse into the backstory, both of Jeremy's early life and behind the scenes. And it's not just about the fishing. It's about the people, with lives so very different than my own. It's about the history of human exploration - and exploitation. It's ecology, biology, sport, and history all wrapped up in one.

Even if the television show didn't exist, River Monsters: True Stories of the Ones that Didn't Get Away takes you along for the ride.

...the challenge facing every one of us is to learn to coexist with other life. Because the day the last monster dies is the day the river dies too. And when that happens, we're not far behind."

[Jason Golomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love Jeremy Wade's "River Monsters" show on tv. In fact, it's become a bit of a weekly event for me and my three children (14, 11, 8-years old). So I was pretty psyched when I first saw that Wade was taking advantage of a new medium to further explore his very unique world and existence. His book is good, but it's uneven and disappointing relative to the high bar he's set for himself.

What makes Wade's show so special is not actually the fishing itself, but rather the integrated approach of his storytelling that blends mystery, travel, adventure, culture AND THEN fishing. I figured a book would give Wade an opportunity to expand on the elements of his trips that simply can't fit into a short 50+ minute weekly show. Jeremy delivers, but only sometimes and inconsistently. He squeezed 18 chapters into less than 300 pages when he probably should've focused on half as many different tales and expanded further on the experiences surrounding the fishing.

Wade is a strong communicator and I couldn't help but hear his soft English accent and very calm and genuine passion in the writing. He's at his best when he deftly weaves his personal history into his stories. It's hard to remember that Wade lived a very full life before he started to share his experiences on "River Monsters" and he provides some fun insights into his youth and meandering life as a young man...caught between wanting to fish the rest of his life and the reality of needing to live an 'accepted' life.

His best stories contain the same elements that make his best shows: adventure and challenge mixed with genuine cultural flavor from whatever remote area he’s exploring. I recommend this read, but keep in mind that it’s not all it can be. The best stories are focused on his searches to catch the elusive and dangerous Arapaima of the Amazon and the Goliath Tigerfish in the Congo.

Wade's show on Animal Planet is great television. It starts and ends with great story telling. Unfortunately, he did take full advantage of the more expansive writing medium to delve as deeply into his subjects as I, at least, wish he had.

[mantareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

REAL LIFE MONSTERS. WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. WRITTEN BY AN EXPERIENCED ANGLER. SPANNING SOME OF THE STRANGEST AND MOST MYSTERIOUS PLACES IN THE WORLD. THE QUESTION IS: WHY HAVEN'T YOU READ THIS??

There are some books that grab you and drag you into their depths, and you don't struggle. You just let it take you along, because the journey is so breathtaking, the writing so vivid that just for a moment, some part of you is out there in the hot, steamy jungles of the Amazon; some part of you is casting out into the great unknown. There must be a word for that wonderful feeling you get when you've picked up a good book; you've lost yourself snug into an exciting world which you don't really want to come out of. I finished this book in one sitting. Such is the thrill and power of Wade's narrative that the I found myself caught in the riptide, dragged helplessly down into the magic world and worlds he himself explored. This is a vividly written set of adventures, covering some beasts that straddle the liminal space between imagination and our first-world "reality" - a space which Wade has so beautifully woven along the boundary between the surface and the depths, of which we know so little.

"The trouble is, though, that a river can look much the same whether it's alive or dead. Only by looking below the surface can you tell the difference. Casting a line, therefore, is like taking a sample of the planet's bloodstream - and the prognosis is not good.

"...the continuing presence of apex predators is a sign of the river's health..."

"Now, more than at any time in the past, the challenge facing every one of us is to learn to coexist with other life. Because the day the last monster dies is the day the river dies too.
And when that happens, we're not far behind."

[John Mileski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read River Monsters: True Stories of the Ones That Didn't Get Away by Jeremy Wade was a great book. Jeremy Wade is a biologist, fishing detective and explorer all over the world.

Jeremy Wade is a real person not a fictional character. He was educated in Zoology and received Postgraduate Certificate in Education. He worked as a teacher, news paper reporter and wrote for publications. He wrote a few books and worked on a few documentaries series. He lives in Southern England. He loves fishing and adventure.

I loved this book. Jeremy Wade leads a great life of fishing and exploring all over the world. He meets all kinds of people and listens to their stories. He is focused on finding out if the stories about the big fish or mysterious fish or the man eating fish is a true story and he goes and proves if the story could be true or gets proof by photos or filming the fish.

The plot of the book is each chapter of how he learns about a fish in a region and he investigates the story and proves the story based on facts he finds.

Characters are different in each chapters but he meets different people and he asked different people to join him on his adventures.

The theme is all about fishing and the fish that Jeremy catches or does not catch. He learns from each experiences. He builds his story with stories from the local people. He proves the story to be true or give proof that the story could be true. He makes a good argument with conclusions.

I really like Jeremy Wade writing style. He adds humor, fact and with descriptive comments to help you get a great picture of what is happening to him.


I would recommendations this book for other. You must like fishing and scary stories about fish and man eating fish.

[Madison Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of the River Monsters show, so when I saw this in the discount pile at Half Price Books, I snapped it up. I love monster stories and monster legends, which is why I originally started watching this show.

I went into this book with expectations, which were only partially met. The first half of the book focuses on his early life and travel before the River Monsters TV show, delving into the reasons, in part, for his philosophy on travel and catch and release fishing. The first half is the best part of the book, I loved reading about his first travels, where he flies halfway across the world with only $200 and a dream. About his struggles to live up to the expectation of a corporate job and life.

The second half of the book has chapters taken directly out of the River Monsters show, focusing on the Arapaima, the Goliath Tigerfish, the sawfish, freshwater sharks, and more. I had hoped to get more details about these trips from these stories, but for the most part these chapters are blow-by-blow recaps of what was seen on TV, with very little extra information. Unless one is a serious fishing ethusiast, who wants to know the niggling details of how he does his casts, how he picks his lures, this section doesn’t hold much of interest.

Overall, this is a fun read if you can’t get enough of River Monsters host Jeremy Wade, and want to know more about the man and what drives him.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching every episode of River Monsters with Jeremy Wade, it was actually enjoyable to read the back stories to all of his adventures. I think I have watched every episode at least twice including all of the unhooked episodes where they insert popups that give additional info about what is going on.

This book actually took a bit longer to read than expected. I started it weeks ago, but with all the scientific prose, history and stories within the story, I really wanted to take my time.

Since I started out with a bit of knowledge about what he's done by watching the show, it was exciting for me to actually read the various chapters that filled in the additional details

I must admit, he's a very brave man considering everything that he's been through...surviving a plane crash, contracting maleria and being arrested as a spy. Not to mention, travel to all of those places that I don't have on my radar as places I want to visit!

The book includes a pictorial from his adventures.

Considering the fact that his subject would normally be something I wouldn't consider reading, I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the book. After having watched the show, I am even more impressed with his expertise and knowledge on the areas he has traveled. You can definitely tell he has done his homework. But after doing this for over 25 years, who wouldn't?

[Jo]

My friend Tom watches this show, which airs on Cable Tv's Animal Planet. Wade is a biologist/zoologist that goes to 3rd world countries, or even parts of the US to catch big fish.. I mean big.. He caught a 350 pound grouper. But the thing that is most interesting about his show on tv, is not his fish stories, but the people and places where he visits. One tv episode had him visiting Chernobyl, to catch a fish, the name of which escapes me. Some of the places he visits, like in India, consider their rivers sacred, and he needs special permission or blessing from a local shamin/priest/holy man, before he can fish.. He takes these blessings seriously and does not snicker or poo-poo the idea of a prayer or a superstition.

At the end of the day, Fish, no matter what species, just want to be left alone, and swim at the bottom of their murky homes.. Wade practices catch and release.. giving the big fish he catches a gentle tap before sending them back into their River Deep Water home.

Just a note: some people wonder about the Loch Ness monster, and if it exists, why Scotland? The answer is simple, I belive, Scotland is a comforting country, and has hospitable residents.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audio version of River Monsters is enhanced by the narration provided by its author, TV celebrity Jeremy Wade. I felt like Mr Wade was actually accompanying me to work each morning, describing his various fishing adventures around the world.

The drawback, however, is that as a television star, Mr. Wade is used to a visual medium. There is only so far that he can go to describe his surroundings, team, and the creatures he is attempting to catch. On television, you can see the fish he catches. In print, the illustration section commonly inserted into a non-fiction book can help to fill in these blanks. In audio … not possible. (Aside: A few audio books, such as Keith Richards' autobiography, do provide a direction with .jpg or .pdf files that can be displayed on your computer. This is not one of those books – and it would greatly benefit from it.)

Still, the book itself was entertaining, the author obviously knowledgable about his subject given that he is decribing his own travels, and it was a good use of my time.

RATING: 4 1/2 stars, rounded down to 4 stars due to the aforementioned weakness in audio format.

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for River Monsters. I long ago stopped swimming in fresh water, because I live in North Carolina and there aren't many rivers or lakes, not even a stretch of ocean, that is clear enough to see what you might be swimming with. Watching River Monsters, though, was an amazing reminder that we know so little about the fauna in our waterways. This book is an extension of that. I imagine that it would be a great read for any fisherman, but it was also a good read for me, and I haven't a clue how to fish. Jeremy Wade is far more eloquent than he appears to be on television. His writing is cohesive and engaging, and this book was a fantastic collection of the fish he has sought over the years. I have a new found admiration for his intelligence and his abilities, and for his love of fish and life and the world around him. A wonderful read.

[Rheta Thola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got something that I did not expect from this book. I thought it would simply be a written inside scoop to behind the scenes of the tv show River Monsters. instead I got a fascinating read of behind the scenes, autobiography, zoology and travel all in one book. It was astounding. It was not purely autobiographical but Jeremy would occasionally drop in personal information at very appropriate times. It also was simply about the tv show but instead a history of Jeremy's experience with each fish. Very interesting facts and history of discovery about each fish was also given.

I think simply a book of behind the scenes information of the TV sure would have been enjoyable; however, with all of the information packed into this book it was absolutely compelling. Fantastic work!

[Pankaj Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can either somehow make Jeremy Wade come to your home, grab beer and tell you stories while you laze around on your couch, or you could read this book. This book is not just about catching big fish, but its about one man's passion, almost bordering on obsession. And traveling to far off places, on a shoestring budget.

I have always liked the TV show, and it was definitely the reason why I got into fishing. But this book takes you where the show doesn't. Into Wade's mind, where you can see what drives him, and why he is willing to go to any means to land his next monster.

Definitely one of the best books I have read in a while!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

omigod jeremy waaaadeee

I liked his writing style a lot, and I learned even more about fish!! He added way more info than we could have ever gotten from the show, and basically it made me love him even more

I think the only real problem I had with it was that the temporal scale was kind of confusing, I sort of with there was more context of that because I got confused a lot about when certain things happened in his life but honestly it doesn't really matter too much for the book, since it's mostly short stories about each fish.

If you like the show then it's a definite must-read! Learn more about fish! Learn more about J. Wade!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just great stories, but also well-written. You can tell the author has writing experience. Having watched the show and listening to Jeremy narrate it, I could "hear" his voice telling the stories in the book. I loved how he was able to relay so much more information than you get in the 1-hour episodes. There was so much more "behind-the-scenes" information and interesting personal information, also. Fabulous, interesting, educational stories! And not just for people who enjoy to fish (I don't).

[Ami Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This book is a series of such investigations into the murky world of fisherman's tales. The tales are of river monsters that are frightenly large or dangerous- or both. Fish that swallow men whole, others that eat them from within, and others that pack a killer punch. And the truth, though elusive and sometimes complex, is often every bit as unbelievable as the myth." Jeremy Wade in the opening chapter.

Very good book, even if you don't like fishing. Talks of travel and culture. You learn a little bit of Jeremy's life outside of fishing. A little slow in some spots. Still with reading!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fish fan by any means. Owning, eating, fishing for them, none of it. But this made for a very interesting read. It isn't full of bluster, touting all the trophies and posing with your wall of stuffed exotics. Its educational without being demeaning or dull. It was also a lesson without being preachy, about how overfishing, pollution, and obstructions of waterways are causing vast upheavals in the life of fish. And that some of these amazing "monsters" won't be around much longer with how things are going.

[Beth Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fish On! A book about fascinating fish, a fascinating life & a fascinating man!

A beautifully written book. Jeremy Wade has the ability to make you feel as if you're right there beside him on his travels as he catches these fascinating creatures. I can hear Jeremy's voice as I'm reading. He's as fascinating as the fish he's looking for.

Very informative, and interesting read! Definitely recommend this book. And I hope Jeremy Wade writes more!

(I've just finished reading it for the second time - I enjoyed it so much!)

[iangela perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm such a big fan of Jeremy Wade and the TV show River Monsters.And this book gave me insights on what are the other things that is happening while they're filming each episode. Each struggles, finding ways just to get the shot (and the fish) and the mysteries that they have to confront are all described in this book. So if you're a fan of the show,and you just can't get enough, this book will surely help you ease your addiction.(A bit.) :)