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Richard Bangs

リチャード・ジョンストン・バングス

Richard Johnston Bangs

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-08-24 （New Haven, Connecticut, United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
New Haven, Connecticut (birthplace) → Arizona / Grand Canyon area (river guiding) → Ethiopia (expeditions) → California (media and internet work)

Career

Occupations
writer, traveler, TV host, explorer, producer
Active Years
1972-

Education

Northwestern University
Degree: B.A.
Period: 1968–1972
Year of Graduation: 1972
Country: United States
University of Southern California
Degree: M.A.
Period: 1973–1975
Year of Graduation: 1975
Country: United States

Awards

National Outdoor Book Award (literature)
Work: The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death and the Transformation of Wild Water
Category: 文学
Organization: National Outdoor Book Awards
Result: 受賞
Lowell Thomas Award (best book)
Work: The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death and the Transformation of Wild Water
Category: 最優秀書籍
Organization: Society of American Travel Writers / Lowell Thomas Awards
Result: 受賞
NATJA Best Book Award
2007
Work: Adventures with Purpose
Organization: North American Travel Journalists Association
Result: 受賞
Mark Dubois Lifetime Achievement Conservation Award
2007
Category: 保全・環境
Organization: Mark Dubois Award
Result: 受賞
CINE Golden Eagle Award
2008
Work: Quest for Kaitiakitanga
Category: ドキュメンタリー
Organization: CINE
Result: 受賞
Telly Awards (multiple)
Work: Quest for the Nile, Quest for the Sublime, Quest for the Kasbah, etc.
Organization: Telly Awards
Result: 複数受賞
HSMAI Platinum Award
Work: Quest for Kaitiakitanga
Organization: Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
Result: 受賞
Lowell Thomas Award (Gold)
2009
Work: Quest for the Viking Spirit
Category: ドキュメンタリー
Organization: Society of American Travel Writers / Lowell Thomas Awards
Result: 受賞
Lowell Thomas Award (Gold)
2010
Work: India (show)
Category: ドキュメンタリー
Organization: Society of American Travel Writers / Lowell Thomas Awards
Result: 受賞
Emmy Awards (History/Culture)
2010
Work: Series (details unspecified)
Category: テレビ（History/Culture）
Organization: Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Result: 2受賞
Lowell Thomas Award (Gold)
2011
Work: Hong Kong: Quest for the Dragon
Organization: Society of American Travel Writers / Lowell Thomas Awards
Result: 受賞
CINE Golden Eagle Award
2011
Work: Greece: Quest for the Gods
Organization: CINE
Result: 受賞
Travel Weekly Magellan Awards (Gold)
2012
Work: Quest for Harmony
Category: Destination Marketing
Organization: Travel Weekly
Result: 受賞
Lowell Thomas Award
2012
Work: Quest for Harmony
Organization: Society of American Travel Writers / Lowell Thomas Awards
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death and the Transformation of Wild Water

memoir / travel non-fiction

A memoir recounting river expeditions and personal encounters with life, death, and transformation through wild-water adventures.

explorationencounters with naturerivers and adventurepersonal transformation

Adventures with Purpose

2007 travel / non-fiction

A record of travels that link adventure with purpose, highlighting journeys that aim to have positive impacts on communities and the environment.

sustainable travelcultural exchangeconservation

Quest for the Sublime

2008 travel

A work about journeys seeking the sublime across the world; includes episodes that were also produced for television.

the sublimenatural beautycultural exploration

Quest for the Kasbah

2009 travel

A travelogue exploring kasbahs and cultures in Morocco and North Africa.

cultural heritagelocal communitieshistorical architecture

Bibliography

  • The Lost River: A Memoir of Life, Death and the Transformation of Wild Water
  • Adventures with Purpose
  • Quest for the Sublime
  • Quest for the Kasbah
  • Other works (total authorship listed as 19 books)

Adaptations

  • Mystery of the Nile (IMAX film, co-director)
  • River of the Red Ape (executive produced)
  • The Last Wild River Ride (executive produced)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
field-research based non-fictionmemoir-like narrationdescriptive, experiential travel writing
Recurring Motifs
rivers and water journeysadventure and riskencounters with culturesenvironmental conservation

Legacy

Richard Bangs is known for parlaying his river-guiding origins into a career linking exploration, travel journalism, books and film. Involved in early internet travel media (including Expedia) and producer/host of public-television travel specials, his award-winning work influenced modern adventure travel and purposeful, responsible travel narratives.

In Popular Culture

  • Known as host/producer of travel specials and documentaries aired on public television and IMAX

Trivia

  • Worked as a Colorado River guide in the Grand Canyon during college summers.
  • Co-founded Sobek Expeditions and recorded some 35 first river descents.
  • Was part of the founding executive team of Expedia.
  • Co-directed the 2005 IMAX film 'Mystery of the Nile'.
  • Credited with authoring 19 books.