The Lost City of Z
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After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, New Yorker writer David Grann set out to solve "the greatest exploration mystery of the twentieth century": what happened to British explorer Percy Fawcett. In 1925 Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient civilization. For centuries
… More »After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, New Yorker writer David Grann set out to solve "the greatest exploration mystery of the twentieth century": what happened to British explorer Percy Fawcett. In 1925 Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient civilization. For centuries Europeans believed the world's largest jungle concealed the glittering El Dorado. Thousands had died looking for it, leaving many convinced that the Amazon was truly inimical to humankind. But Fawcett had spent years building his scientific case. Captivating the imagination of millions, he embarked with his 21-year-old son, determined to prove that this ancient civilization--which he dubbed "Z"--existed. Then he and his expedition vanished. Fawcett's fate--and the clues he left behind--became an obsession for hundreds who followed him. As Grann delved deeper into Fawcett's mystery, and the greater mystery of the Amazon, he found himself irresistibly drawn into the "green hell."--From publisher description.
« LessIncludes bibliographical references (p. 315-326) and index.
We shall return -- The vanishing -- The search begins -- Buried treasure -- Blank spots on the map -- The disciple -- Freeze-dried ice cream and adrenaline socks -- Into the Amazon -- The secret papers -- The green hell -- Dead Horse Camp -- In the hands of the gods -- Ransom -- The case for Z -- El Dorado -- The locked box -- The whole world is mad -- A scientific obsession -- An unexpected clue -- Have no fear -- The last eyewitness -- Dead or alive -- The colonel's bones -- The other world -- Z.
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In his search for a lost city in the Amazon, hardened explorer Percy Harrison Fawcett entered the jungle in 1925 and never returned. In the following decades, many people have gone in search of Fawcett and the lost Amazonian civilization that he fervently believed in only to have come away empty-handed, if at all. David Grann contends that people have been searching in the wrong place and undertakes his own quest to discover Fawcett's fate using newly-released documents and Fawcett's own personal journals and notes as his guides. His book is an engaging account of what drives people, including himself, to immerse themselves in one of the world's most dangerous areas. Grann comes upon some surprising results that are changing how people view the native cultures of the Amazon.
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Add a CommentIts pretty exciting read, Grann does a great job of giving lots of relevant details to recreate the adventure, and get an understanding of exploration at the turn of the century. I am sure there are mistakes if you nitpick, but it is a good fast read you will enjoy!
Very insightful read. I was most impressed with the sheer volume of research put into it. Grann demonstrates raw dedication to his story, and writes it with compelling detail.
"In 1925, famed British explorer Percy Fawcett voyaged up the Amazon in search of a city he called "Z" and others call El Dorado. Although Fawcett was a seasoned adventurer, he and his two companions (including his 21-year-old son, Jack) were never seen again. Decades later, journalist David Grann learned about the headline-making disappearance and joined the ranks of those who've attempted to learn what happened to Fawcett - several of whom have lost their lives in the process. An account of Grann's modern-day foray into the jungle is interwoven with details about Fawcett's adventures, which are based on the explorer's diaries, letters, and other accounts. Featuring blow-darts, giant snakes, and hostile locals, this gripping narrative reads "with all the pace and excitement of a movie thriller" (The New York Times)." Next Reads Armchair Travel October 2012 Newsletter http://www.nextreads.com/Display2.aspx?SID=5acc8fc1-4e91-4ebe-906d-f8fc5e82a8e0&N=556414
Fascinating. I enjoyed learning about Amazon expeditions, but was even more drawn in by the psychology of the folks that went there.
This is a very entertaining read and perfect for the arm chair tourist who vicariously enjoys learning about people risking their lives in dangerous places. I won't ever go into the Amazonian jungle but loved reading about those who are both crazy and brave enough to explore it.
One of the my favourite books ever!
Having read the journals of French explorers of Mexico and Central America from the early 1900's may have taken some of the fascination out of this book. A great factual tale, but the historical time shifts occasional left me confused as to whose story was being being told.
No wonder this is a bestseller. A great story by a great writer, with a cast of characters you won't forget.
I thought this would be a bit more in depth about Amazonian civilizations and what Colonel Fawcett might have found. It is only near the very end that we even hear what the modern-day expectations are for a city of Z. It was an engaging biography, but not much of a history.
A very interesting read. Sheds light on a little known explorer and his eventual disappearance. Makes me want to travel to the Amazon.