3.5
The Lost City of Z
ByPublisher Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Killers of the Flower Moon and The Wager comes a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction “with all the pace and excitement of a movie thriller”(The New York Times) that unravels the greatest exploration mystery of the twentieth century—the story of the legendary British explorer who ventured into the Amazon jungle in search of a fabled civilization and never returned.
"[Grann is] one of the preeminent adventure and true-crime writers working today."—New York Magazine
After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, acclaimed writer David Grann set out to determine what happened to the British explorer Percy Fawcett and his quest for the Lost City of Z. For centuries Europeans believed the Amazon, the world’s largest rain forest, concealed the glittering kingdom of El Dorado. Thousands had died looking for it, leaving many scientists convinced that the Amazon was truly inimical to humankind. In 1925 Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient civilization, hoping to make one of the most important discoveries in history. Then he vanished. Over the years countless perished trying to find evidence of his party and the place he called “The Lost City of Z.”
In this masterpiece, journalist David Grann interweaves the spellbinding stories of Fawcett’s quest for “Z” and his own journey into the deadly jungle.
Look for David Grann’s latest bestselling book, The Wager!
"[Grann is] one of the preeminent adventure and true-crime writers working today."—New York Magazine
After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, acclaimed writer David Grann set out to determine what happened to the British explorer Percy Fawcett and his quest for the Lost City of Z. For centuries Europeans believed the Amazon, the world’s largest rain forest, concealed the glittering kingdom of El Dorado. Thousands had died looking for it, leaving many scientists convinced that the Amazon was truly inimical to humankind. In 1925 Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient civilization, hoping to make one of the most important discoveries in history. Then he vanished. Over the years countless perished trying to find evidence of his party and the place he called “The Lost City of Z.”
In this masterpiece, journalist David Grann interweaves the spellbinding stories of Fawcett’s quest for “Z” and his own journey into the deadly jungle.
Look for David Grann’s latest bestselling book, The Wager!
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesThe Lost City of Z Reviews
3.5
“This is a really good read. David Grann’s writing is great, and the characters are well developed and fleshed out; the plot and setting are intense. The author presents the factual and well researched details surrounding the mysterious and unresolved disappearance of an expedition into the Amazon in the early 20th century and it reads like high-octane fiction. It’s non-fiction, historical adventure, at its best with characters that were oftentimes at their worst. The book does a great job of exploring the destructive power of obsession and how hubris and narcissism can warp a man into one who ultimately becomes intolerant to anyone or anything that interferes with his objective, including those closest to him. It also explores, through the author’s own experience when researching this book, the lure of obsession and how easily one can sacrifice others in the pursuit of achievement. I would definitely recommend this book to readers that enjoy non-fiction, historical adventures, and/or psychological examinations of obsession and its consequences.”
“I found this to be a fascinating book and an impressive piece of research and storytelling. The author does an amazing job of compiling historical accounts, expeditions, and evidence into a narrative that feels both informative and engaging. That said, I did find it quite dense at times. There is a lot of historical information, background, and context packed into the book, so it isn't the kind of read I could rush through. Still, I think that depth is part of what makes it so interesting.
One of the things I enjoyed most was learning about the Amazon, its history, and the different Indigenous people and tribes connected to the region. I also found it fascinating to read about all the complications, illnesses, and unforeseen events that can occur in a jungle with as much biodiversity as the Amazon, and how those conditions can push people to the brink of madness. It gave me a much broader perspective on an area that is often misunderstood or oversimplified. As a side note... I loved that the book includes photographs. Seeing the people, places, and expeditions discussed throughout the story added so much to the reading experience.
As someone with a scientific background, I could also understand Percy Fawcett's determination to keep going despite the obstacles. While his obsession could sometimes feel stubborn (and even toxic) it was easy to see how the desire to discover something important and leave a mark on history could drive someone to keep pushing forward. I also really liked the conclusion. There is something deeply tragic about the idea that Fawcett may actually have found evidence supporting his theories but lacked the archaeological knowledge needed to fully recognize the signs. If true, that possibility makes the fate of both him and his companions even more heartbreaking.
Overall, this is a very interesting book for anyone who enjoys history, exploration, archaeology, or stories of real-life mysteries. It is dense, but the combination of historical research, adventure, and unanswered questions makes it a rewarding read.”
CaptivatingEducationalEngagingSpecialized knowledge requiredAccurateCredible sourcesEvidence-basedPersonal experienceWell-researchedBalanced perspectivesClear thesisEasy to followFragmentedWell-organizedClearConciseEasy to readRelatableStylistically uniqueAnimal abuseChild lossDeathMisogynyMurderRacismWar violence
About David Grann
DAVID GRANN is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON and THE LOST CITY OF Z. KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON was a finalist for The National Book Award and won an Edgar Allan Poe Award. He is also the author of THE WHITE DARKNESS and the collection THE DEVIL AND SHERLOCK HOLMES. Grann's storytelling has garnered several honors, including a George Polk Award. He lives with his wife and children in New York.
Other books by David Grann
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