About this title: After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, acclaimed "New Yorker" writer Grann set out to solve "the greatest exploration mystery of the 20th century: what happened to the British explorer Percy Fawcett and his quest for the Lost City of Z?
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Edition: Large type / large print.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Random House Large Print Publishing
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780739328347ISBN:0739328344
Description: New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 528 p. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Doubleday, USA
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780385513531ISBN:0385513534
Description: Illustrated. Fine in Fine jacket. Hardcover in fine condition-clean tight and solid. An in-depth and well researched look into the life of P. H. Fawcett, one of the last great explorers and his search for a lost city in the Amazon. read more
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Random House Inc
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780385513531ISBN:0385513534
Description: After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, acclaimed "New Yorker" writer Grann set out to solve "the greatest exploration mystery of the 20th century: what happened to the British explorer Percy Fawcett and his quest for the Lost City of Z? read more
Edition: LRG
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Random House Inc
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780739328347ISBN:0739328344
Description: A masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, this blockbuster adventure takes listeners on a gripping journey into the Amazon. After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, acclaimed "New Yorker" writer David Grann set out to solve "the greatest explorat... read more
"Very nice book. I'd heard things over the years about Fawcett, and it was interesting to learn he wasn't a crackpot after all. He acted upon some accounts of lost cities. He had no way of knowing how much faith to put in them. The stories seem to fall into three categories: (1) accurate observations, (2) inaccurate observations, and (3) downright lies. As for (1), there is strong reason to believe that the Amazon had been supporting extremely large populations that probably died out as European diseases made their way into the basin. The reasons for the demise of some populations, particularly, along the Bolivia-Brazil border are not clearly understood at this time. Even the author was a victim of type (2) observations when he believed he was looking at the columns and archways of an ancient city, only to learn they were natural geological features. Some people (3) told of seeing things that not even Spielberg would dare to put on the silver screen.
On "Digging for the Truth" there was an excellent episode that touched on many of these same topics, including "black Indian soil" which cannot be duplicated currently but is highly fertile and could support large populations. It also makes reference to large permanent villages and the ruins of similar ancient villages that rivaled in size European cities."
"I was skeptical about whether I would like this book. I'm not exactly the outdoorsy, adventurous type, but then I thought, this being true, probably the best way to explore the Amazon is through the comfort of a book (being read safely indoors). Plus, my boyfriend loved it so much, I had to see what this Lost City was all about.
Boy, you are in for a ride picking up this book. Like Shirley (boyfriend's mother who received this book as a gift) says, the most "unsuspecting" person will want to change their life after reading this. You may not want to jump on a boat straight to the Amazon since this book WILL make you FEAR the Amazon as much as you're intrigued by it. You may not decide that adventuring in any extreme climate is right for you. But you will most likely take a step back to examine your life and question whether you have any passions as deep and motivating as Fawcett (subject of the book) had. After reading this, I wanted more--not only about this specific mystery/adventure, but more out of life.
"If you have ever wanted to be an explorer this is the book for you. Grann's biographical detective story of Percy Fawcett was a great read. Fawcett lived his life like a real life Indiana Jones exploring the far corners of the Amazon in the early 20th century - an area that is still largely unexplored. After numerous successful Amazon adventures, Fawcett faced a tragedy during his expedition in 1925, when Fawcett and his team simply disappeared. His goal had been to unveil the legendary City of Z - an ancient Amazonian civilization concealed and swallowed by the jungle, but his trail went dead. A real life unsolved mystery. Grann devoted a good chunk of time to researching Fawcett and even venturing to the thick of the Amazon himself in search of Fawcett's trail. His detail brought Fawcett and his adventures to life. Fawcett's tales ranged from the frontlines of World War I, being attacked by poison arrows, being swarmed by mosquitos, and battling unheard of Amazonian diseases. Fawcett was a strong willed man who was driven to explore the mysterious Amazon. Only the mysterious Amazon left us with the mystery of what happened to Percy Fawcett."
"This is a great adventure story of an early 20th century Amazon explorer who mysteriously disappeared on one of his many sojouurns into the heart of Amazonia. Acutally, the area Percy Fawcett explored was south of the Amazon proper; mostly he explored in western Brazil near the Bolivian border, though he disappeared on a trek eastward from there. Lots of interesting sidelines are here, including his brother's, his wife's and his own interest in spiritualism, of the Madame Blavatsky sort. Also his family spent a brief time in Hollywood; many explorers after him led expeditions in search of him; a great story is juxtaposed with his about the author's own search for what happened to him. Page after page, interesting sidelines appear, including possibilities for explaining the Lost City of "Z", the El Dorado that Fawcett searched for. It's a wonderful and fantastical story."
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