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Washington Post

David Grann

The Lost City of Z

El Dorado - the stuff of legend. But could there really be anything there? In The Lost City of Z: A Legendary British Explorer's Deadly Quest to Uncover the Secrets of the Amazon David Grann tells the story of Colonel Percy Fawcett, who was determined to find out.

We hear of how Fawcett was seemingly immune to tropical diseases, and was able to keep going when others were exhausted. At the start of the 20th century he became famous for his near-legendary exploits. However, following the First World War it became harder to get funding, and he was competing against large expeditions with radios and planes. In 1926 he set of on an expedition, taking his son and a friend as assistants, to look for the lost city he was sure must be there. They never came back.

But that wasn't the end of the story. Now there wasn't just a lost city to search for, there was also the question of what happened to Fawcett's last expedition. Over the years more than a hundred people have set out to find out, and many of them never came back. Despite this, Grann decided to do just that, but he came back to tell the tale - and it turns out that the idea of a substantial civilisation in the Amazon hundreds of years ago may be more than just myth.

It's an amazing story, and I wondered at times whether it was really a work of fiction - but it isn't. It's the sort of book which will be enjoyed by almost everyone, and would make an ideal gift.

Amazon.com info
Hardcover 352 pages ISBN: 0385513534 Salesrank: 3472 Weight:1.55 lbs
Published: 2009 Doubleday
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Amazon.co.uk info
Paperback 339 pages ISBN: 1847374794 Salesrank: 955488 Weight:0.97 lbs
Published: 2009 Simon & Schuster Ltd
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Amazon.ca info
Hardcover 352 pages ISBN: 0385513534 Salesrank: 18926 Weight:1.55 lbs
Published: 2009 Doubleday
Amazon price CDN$ 20.06
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Product Description

A grand mystery reaching back centuries. A sensational disappearance that made headlines around the world. A quest for truth that leads to death, madness or disappearance for those who seek to solve it. The Lost City of Z is a blockbuster adventure narrative about what lies beneath the impenetrable jungle canopy of the Amazon.

After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, acclaimed New Yorker writer David Grann set out to solve "the greatest exploration mystery of the twentieth century:" What happened to the British explorer Percy Fawcett and his quest for the Lost City of Z?

In 1925 Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient civilization, hoping to make one of the most important discoveries in history. For centuries Europeans believed the world’s largest jungle 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. But Fawcett, whose daring expeditions helped inspire Conan Doyle’s The Lost World, had spent years building his scientific case. Captivating the imagination of millions around the globe, Fawcett embarked with his twenty-one-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 tantalizing clues he left behind about “Z”--became an obsession for hundreds who followed him into the uncharted wilderness. For decades scientists and adventurers have searched for evidence of Fawcett’s party and the lost City of Z. Countless have perished, been captured by tribes, or gone mad. As David Grann delved ever deeper into the mystery surrounding Fawcett’s quest, and the greater mystery of what lies within the Amazon, he found himself, like the generations who preceded him, being irresistibly drawn into the jungle’s “green hell.” His quest for the truth and his stunning discoveries about Fawcett’s fate and “Z” form the heart of this complex, enthralling narrative.

Not "River of Doubt" *

If you want to read about how to do hand's-on research....read this book. If you want to read about adventure
read "River of Doubt."

When men disappear into the Amazon Jungle and don't come out -- one has to try as best they can to find their
story. So this story is about the author doing research in fabulous libraries and going
into the jungle himself -- even though (I'm guessing) he cannot read a compass.

The writing doesn't come close to Simon Winchester's and the story is about another
Englishman who is out to see the unknown. Eventually the reader comes to like Fawcett
(our hero) for finding humanity in the "native."

After the first 50 pages I found myself skimming -- tired of reading about how
the author did his research.

Half-a** job pursuing a project *

What a nice cover!

There must have been some long hours spent investigating historical records of the journeys of others by the author, but if you are looking for an adventure, this book is not for you. There are a few parts of the book which start to lead into adventures in the amazon, btu the end very quickly, leaving you with a few mental images rather than an enduring journey through the jungle. I did not enjoy this book and felt that I had wasted my time reading the whole thing. Most of the book is describing the author searching libraries and such looking for the best story or promising location of a lost city, but none ever comes. The book has no ending really. No adventures either.
One star.

Overlong, disjointed magazine piece **

Thought this book started out promisingly but was sorely disappointed by it's end. Nothing glaringly wrong, Grann writes clearly and keeps one's attention, and he's certainly done his research, though the personal research that had him going into the Amazon himself felt tacked on, as though he thought his primary subject's biography might not quite sustain the whole book. Or, was there a hope of a movie deal in the machinations? Hmm..isn't Mr. Pitt doing something with this?

It's an extended magazine piece at best and the conceit of alternating (much shorter) chapters of his personal expedition with the bio/history of Fawcett is as tiring and unimaginative as a technique as it is unbalanced. Seems he needed something to break up the historical parts that all eventually run out of steam when (guess what?!) Fawcett never comes back.

The whole thing deflates by the end, as the history runs out and Grann's personal adventures turn out to be the equivalent of a decent but no great shakes Outside magazine article.

I give "Z" an A+ *****

This wonderful book is almost like three books in one. First, there's a gripping adventure story. The descriptions of arduous rainforest treks have a brutal immediacy, without ever becoming fanciful or devolving into purple prose. This is intertwined with a compelling biography of Percy Fawcett, the explorer at the center of the story. Aided by copious records and first-hand sources, you get a complete picture of the man without having to resort to speculation or armchair psychoanalysis. His exploits are fascinating, whether he's hacking through the Amazon or doing the mundane-sounding work of securing funding for his expeditions. Adding to and enriching this material is a comprehensive education on the ecology and anthropology of the Amazon, a revealing look at the state of science in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, and the story of what happened when the author travelled to the area in the present day. More exciting and accessible than the average nonfiction, and of course way more realistic and educational than a thriller, a recommended read for everyone.

Indiana Jones, but for real! *****

This is the story of Colonel Percy H Fawcett and his search for the legendary ancient Amazonian city that he called 'Z'. This is also the story of the author, David Grann, who got caught up in the story and went to the Amazon to find out what happened to the Colonel.

This is very well written and seriously researched. It switches back and forth between the story of Fawcett and of the author's quest to find him. The main part of the story is Fawcett's.

I read this on my Kindle, and for Kindle readers, there are pictures with captions at the very end, past the notes, acknowledgments, and bibliography.

This is a great story. Highly recommended!

Perfectly judged book *****

A real gem this, and my favourite book of 2009. An absolutely perfect book for those lovers of adventure and old romance, and any who feel that giddy 'grip' on the imagination when they think of El Dorado, conquistadors, clouds of poison darts, perilous rope bridges and cities of gold. I dare say any with a passing interest in South America would also greatly enjoy it. That continent interested me about as much as a bucket of beige paint, but after this wonderful book I have sought out as many books and articles about it as I could - everything from William H. Prescott to Hiram Bingham. None, as yet, have quite satisfied the fascination aroused here - certainly not so wholly as Grann manages to.

Interweaving the modern-day investigations of the author, and the historic efforts of British explorer Col Fawcett to find the Lost City of Z, it is a compelling, fascinating read. A wonderful mixture of old and new. May the author turn his attentions to other such men who walked off the edge of the map and, if they found not the empires of wonder they aimed for, nevertheless mightily enlarged the hearts and fancies of man and boy alike for ages after.

I would have given 2.5 stars if possible **

I find Fawcett fascinating and was eager to read of his journeys into the Amazon in the 1920s. I was truly intrigued as to where he had disappeared to and whether he had found his lost city. I was almost childlike in my excitement at the thought of reading this book. I had many questions beforehand such as; did he find Z, how long did it take, where did he disappear to, did he choose to stay in the forest or did he die, was he killed, what happened when Grann went to re-trace his steps and what answers could he bring to all these questions and many more?

I since felt a little let down by the book and maybe this is because of my own build up to it - I really couldn't wait for it to be delivered. So a little advice for people thinking of reading it is; yes read the book but don't build it up in your mind like I did otherwise you may also be a little deflated by it not living up to your expectations.

The things which worked against the book for me were that at times I found the narrative a little false/staged. An example of this is when Grann went to visit Fawcett's Grandaughter. The whole episode seemed to suffer from over characterisation - did she really mutter to herself (like a typical old lady would in a children's story for example)? and did Fawcett's Great great grandaughter (aged 23) really spend her time in another room playing a video game while a journalist had flown over all the way from America to come and interview Fawcett's remaining living family? I think I'd be pretty interested in that! There were certain other descriptions/scenarios/exchanges that I couldn't help but wander whether they had been added in/manipulated purely for dramatic effect? They just didn't always quite ring true for me and Grann appeared to try too hard to cover it up.

The book has inspired to me read more around the subject, after all it is so intensely interesting. If I could have a magic wand I would ask Grann to re-write the book but next time write it with more passion and keep it more raw; and spare us the bits you've added in which you think the reader needs to hear - we can see through it!

I also would liked to have seen one or two maps for the reader to refer to - although I understand some versions of the book do have maps included, mine didn't. This is something to bear in mind if you are purchasing a copy of this book - I really wished there were some maps to flip to when I wanted to.

I would also like a few more facts in the book about the amazon as whole, both past and present and about the changes much of it has undergone in recent years. I know this would deviate a little from the main story and yes I know I could google it but the inclusion of it would give the reader a 'one stop shop'. Maybe just add in a facts chapter at the end, then it is the reader's choice if they read it or not. By the end of the book I certainly got the feel of what it would be like to be in the amazon but frustratingly felt as though my actual knowledge of the Amazon had only been broadened slightly.

To conclude: This is a good old fashioned rip roaring adventure to enliven the senses and take you back to a time when the world still had vast areas of blanks on maps and explorers going into the unkown; but the book is let down by the way it is sometimes dubiously written. It lacks a certain something for me. What a shame. Grann/someone please have another go.

Interesting and entertaining ****
This is an interesting and easy read. Well documented, with the necessary distance, though involvement, of the author as he goes on his own quest. The only thing lacking are some good maps of the Amazon region, to be able to follow the different explorations.

A great read but one with one caveat ****

A really fine piece of non-fiction writing, intelligently structured and well-written. Percy Harrison Fawcett deserves to be better known by everyone not alive at the time of his exploits (most of us then). The one flaw, in this edition at least, is the lack of even a single map. Perhaps this was intended to add to the mystery but it looks more like cost cutting. They are sorely missed by this reader at least.

lost city of z *****

FROM START TO FINISH THIS BOOK GRIPPED ME INSTANTLY. FIRST HEARD OF IT ON BBC2 LATE DISCUSSION SHOW QUITE RECENTLY AND BOUGHT IT FOLLOWING DAY. BASED ON TRUE STORY OF MAJOR PERCY FAWCETT, ENGLISH AMAZON EXPLORER WHO WAS NEVER FOUND AGAIN, ALONG WITH HIS SON AND SONS BEST FRIEND IN THE 1920,S. FULL OF INTERESTING FACTS AND STUDIES AND COMPLETELY GRIPPING IN ALL IT,S CONTENT. SERIOUS MUST READ BOOK IF THIS TYPE OF SUBJECT MATTER INTERESTS YOU. CANNOT RAVE ENOUGH ABOUT IT. FILM BEING MADE WITH BRAD PITT TO STAR AS MAJOR FAWCETT. CAN,T WAIT. 5 STAR BOOK.

Obsession! *****

The author of this book becomes an investigator when he gets caught in an obsession of what happened in April of 1925 to the legendary British explorer named Percy Fawcett. This was when he launched his final expedition into the depths of the Amazon in Brazil with his eldest son seeking the lost city of Z. Many speculate that his destination of the city of Z was the lost city of El Dorado, the "City of Gold," but Lt. Col Fawcett thought it more improtant than that.

I found this book to be an exciting read that I could not put down. Its format I found is rather strange in that the chapters alternate between the biography of Perry Fawcett and the autobiography of the author who decided to find out what happened to this famous explorer. But as you read you will find the stories flow along nicely and are actually exciting. This book makes me want to learn more of about Percy Fawcett's other expeditions.

As you read David Grann`s book you are propelled into the world of the Amazon jungle and what it took to form and carry out an expedition. While Fawcett had an obsession on finding his lost city in the deep Amazon, the author Grann formed an obsession and learning what happened to the daring explorer. It is obvious from the book that the author did extensive research and had available too him papers and notes never shown to others before. And though his expedition to find the truth took place in 2005 with the entire modern convinces we have, it was still not easy.

The detailed notes Fawcett sent out of the jungles and the diary he kept give us great insight into what it took to be an explorer at the beginning of last century in what could be said to be the most dangerous piece of real estate on the planet. The routine and trials of moving through the jungle each day is amazing to read. It let me know that I would not want too be an explorer in that jungle. I found the details amazing and interesting. You will not be able to put the book down.

Even with the great work of Grann that he shares with us in this book of what he did to prepare for this journey and what Fawcett had to endure to accomplish his is detailed but written in a narrative style to make you think you were reading an adventure novel. What makes it even more exciting is the danger of knowing that perhaps over a hundred men perished searching for the missing Fawcett or at least proof of what happened to his expedition.

As you read you can feel the excitement or anticipation of closure as Grann moves close rand closer to the answers many seek. This exciting adventure is even more amazing when you realize that this is a work of non-fiction. I will not ruin the book by telling you the ending of this modern story of exploration to uncover the mystery of the last Fawcett expedition for I feel that many will enjoy reading this.

A Gut-Wrenching History of Amazon Jungle Explorations ****

If you like to know about real-life adventures, you'll enjoy this book. David Grann writes convincingly in grisly detail about the many dangers and drawbacks of hacking your way through the Amazon jungle to find what might remain of "lost" cities described in legend.

The Amazon basin has been home to many extravagant legends -- El Dorado (where gold is used like talcum powder), Amazonians (beautiful, but dangerous, female warriors), strange "white" men, and bizarre cannibals. One of the most determined seekers in the jungle was British Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett, one of the most highly decorated South American explorers in the first part of the 20th century, and a former spy and military officer.

The Lost City of Z recounts Fawcett's last expedition into the jungle, from which he did not return. Since then, lots of people have launched unsuccessful, an often lethal, searches for him. David Grann makes his own, following a route that careful research suggests may have been where Fawcett went. The book's conclusion will surprise you.

The story is written on several parallel planes: Fawcett's life; Grann's search for Fawcett; other searches for Fawcett; and the history of exploration into the blank areas of the global map. At first this will seem disjointed and a little precious. By the end, the parallel story lines wrap around one another to make one compelling tale. It's a very clever design that I admired very much while reading and appreciate even more now.

The book's strength is that you will get a sense of how dangerous and difficult it was to explore in the Amazon jungle. If one thing didn't get you, something (or someone) else did. Fawcett was blessed by amazing stamina, great physical strength, remarkable ability to learn indigenous languages, charm that worked on those who were about to kill him, and a seeming immunity to the worst of the various illnesses that usually beset jungle adventurers. He also didn't like those who didn't keep up or questioned his approach . . . a very hard man to follow, indeed.

The book's weakness is that it deals too superficially with many of the most interesting aspects of the story such as the anthropology of the Amazon basin as understood today, the prior Amazon booms (such as the rubber boom), and the ways that explorers learned their craft.

I was very impressed by the research that Mr. Grann did to look for Fawcett's route toward Z. That aspect of the story is almost as good as the better murder mysteries that I enjoy. It's well told, as well.

I thought that his self-descriptions otherwise were a bit overdone and often didn't ring quite true. Could there have been some exaggeration added for effect?

Exciting read *****
I've never read a book so quickly, loved the way it flowed, back and forth in time. Climactic finish.

Obsession *****

On the recommendation of a friend, I started to read this book, and then promptly became lost in this story of exploration, intrigue and the pursuit of the elusive. This is a very well researched, well written story recounting some of the harrowing experiences of the explorer P.H Fawcett in the very wild wilds of the early 20th Century Amazon jungle. At times the author, who follows the story into the jungle himself, provides such graphic detail that I was compelled to confirm that I remained in the safety of my home.
When I finished and was able to put the book down, my wife immediately grabbed it and promptly got lost in the Amazon jungle. I imagine she is enjoying the read, although I do occasionally see her checking to make certain she's not covered in ants, and that no snakes are lying wait in the hallway.

I loved this book! *****

I liked this book!

Of course I didn't expect not to like it. I mean the concept is awesome. A real life search for the lost city of El Dorado. And the search was being done with the historical notes of legendary explorer Percy Fawcett.

The story, for those who don't know (and I certainly fell in to this camp before starting to read this book) is that in 1925 Percy Fawcett and two other explorers went in to the jungle of Brazil to look for the fabled city of El Dorado. They went in, and never came back out. For years, rumours have swirled around the group. Did they find paradise and decide never to leave? Were they killed by one of the many tribes of Indians hostile to the white man? Or did they just end up falling prey to some sort of jungle parasite.

Author David Grann does a great job of piecing together the route that Fawcett is alleged to have taken as Grann goes off in search of history.

The book is part detective novel, part history lesson, and all adventure. The spine of the book states "A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon". And I don't dispute that. This is a good book. Give it a read. You won't be disappointed.

'Lost City of Z' a must-read *****
It is rare for me to find a book that draws me in ... and I found that I could not (and did not want to) put it down. I was made aware of this book while watching 'The Daily Show' on TV as Jon Stewart interviewed the author. I was interested immediately and then bought the book soon after. The story is told very well ... the ending came too fast!

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