Audrey A. (Arosea) reviewed on 1/4/2014 + 404 more book reviews

This book was interesting on more than one level. The reports from the explorers of their experiences are fascinating. The character of Fawcett is interesting as well and the interest the world had in him that seems to continue is surprising. I also didn't know we had a president who tried his hand at exploring the Amazon. The dangers and deprivation and horrors and suffering these people put up with to do this kind of exploration is beyond my comprehension. In this book the author is one of many who become obsessed with trying to find out what happened to Fawcett and did he find the lost city he was sure he could find - the one with streets paved in gold as the myth goes. Fawcett never returned from his last effort. At the end of the book I was considering what these explorers went through including their families - particularly Fawcett's who basically lived in poverty. I can't think of anything their mapping of this area accomplished except to upend the lives of the natives who lived there and changing their way of life which is not necessarily a change for the better. Also, the cutting down of the forest is sad and not good for anyone. I think it would have been better if everyone, the Spaniards included, had left South America alone. It seems to me that all the suffering and deprivation and lives lost in this exploration effort did nothing positive for anyone except to get their names in the headlines on and off. Interesting book that cemented my determination not to do any exploration in South America - or probably anywhere. Makes the Appalachian Trail look like a walk in the park.

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