Simon Winchester fascinates the reader with his storytelling ability. As he takes us along on his journey up the Yangtze, the reader feels compelled to read chapter after chapter in a shared journey to the source of the river. Unfortunately Mr. Winchester story is grim and unpleasant - from his hatred of the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV tower and the Nanking occupation by the Japanese to his altitude sickness in Tibet. He also mentions on more than one occasion seeing corpses in the water. In September 1999 while traveling 1649 miles up the river I saw paper cups, plastic bottles, and other litter but no bodies of any kind - animal or human. Fortunately, I traveled the Yangtze before reading Mr. Winchester's book. I may not have gone if I'd read it first. If that happened, I'd have missed a wonderful adventure filled with beautiful scenes and friendly people.