The Brothers review by Denis Minev

		The Brothers by Milton Hatoum Edition: Paperback Availability: Usually ships in 2 to 3 weeks
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:  INTERESTING BIBLICAL STORY, SET IN THE AMAZON, September 19, 2004 Hatoum is a new star in Brazilian literature and this is only his second book. The background of this novel is the destruction of a Lebanese family living in the port city of Manaus, caused by the hatred between two twin brothers (hence the title) and the missplaced love of the mother and sister. The destruction of the family is followed by the demise of the physical house as well. The family decays with the city, and when the city starts to revive, the family is disassembled to start a new life with the four young members (the brothers, sister, and son of the maid).  Though the story seems to focus on the disputes of the brothers, it is actually narrated by a third person who we only get to know deep into the book, the son of the maid. His main issue is finding out who his father is, and he gets little glimpses of it through stories told him, mainly by Halim, the father of the house, and the maid.  The book is captivating and suspenseful. Hatoum is a master in the art of showing how things are falling apart, as he simultaneously makes the family, the house and the city degerate. He is a worthy member of the degeneration club, that includes Achebe, Poe and Conrad. Highly recommended, a good short page turner.

The Emperor of the Amazon review by Denis Minev

		The Emperor of the Amazon by Marcio Souza Edition: Paperback Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:  SATIRE BASED ON REAL STORY, SARCASTIC AND UNIQUE, October 13, 2004 This was the first novel by Marcio Souza, a gifted Amazonian writer. The novel is based on the true story of Galvez, who briefly gained Acre (a remote state in the western Brazilian Amazon) from Bolivia in the late 1800s. At the time, the Amazon was bustling with the rubber trade, so the economic importance of the state, one of the main rubber producers in the country, was quite obvious.  Galvez is a migrant from Spain who meanders through the Amazon beginning in Belem, from where he is chased, ending up in Santarem then in Manaus. A bohemian, he is dragged into the plot to save Acre from a Bolivian-American coalition that would annex Acre to Bolivia, despite the majority of Brazilian rubber tappers living there.  Souza uses crude and sarcastic language in order to depict the decadent and complex society living in the Amazon, with prosptitutes from Europe, Northeastern Brazilians tapping rubber, American and European magnates, scientists with strange theories about the region and overall adventurers seeking a new life (as was the case with Galvez).  Souza pokes fun at that society as well as the military conception of the Amazon at the time the wrote the book (1970s), which drew some political trouble for him at the time. He has since written much, of which I have only read Mad Maria so far. His style is definitely reminiscent of Emile Zola in the crudeness of the language. If you are getting acquainted with Souza, I would recommend Mad Maria first, since it is more of a standard novel. In Emperor of the Amazon, he uses a different style of breaking up the chapters into little pieces, which can get distracting at times. Overall, however, it is a very interesting book, continuing the tradition of able Latin American writers using sarcasm and an artistic touch in a almost surreal environment.

		The Power of Productivity: Wealth, Poverty, and the Threat to Global Stability by William W. Lewis Edition: Hardcover Availability: In Stock
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:  INNOVATION IN ECONOMIC THINKING, HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE TEXT, October 27, 2004 In this book, William Lewis sums up the conclusions drawn from ten years and a sequence of studies that try to determine what makes a country have better economic performance than another. In this innovative text, he argues that it is not the traditional macroeconomic variables, or even the traditional labor (education, hours worked, work ethic) and capital inputs, but rather the productivity of each of the major industries in those countries. Ok, so far, not an earthshattering finding. However, most interesting is his conclusion as to what leads to high productivity; not education, not access to finance, but good old free competition.  He shows how, in markets sheltered from competition by barriers or regulation, productivity remains low and so do the returns on capital and labor. The studies are drawn from developed (Japan, US, Europe) and developing nations (Brazil, India, Korea) and go in depth into particular industries in order to understand the factors that drive productivity. No book in recent publication is as insightful on the true engine that drives development.  The author was the leading partner at McKinsey in charge of the McKinsey Global Institute, McKinsey's thinktank. Using McKinsey resources, which are unique and unavailable to any other economist, Lewis was able to analyze conditions that could only previously be seen from afar by economists. His training as a physicist also helped him synthesize phenomena, drawing the overarching themes behind producitivity.  I highly recommend this book, it will breathe new life into economists that may be losing hope that development is not possible in certain places due to such factors as environment or culture. It is accessive to non-economists as well, so I hope policy-makers would have a chance to read it and follow some of its good advice.

Eretz Amazonia review by Denis Minev

		Eretz Amazonia: Os judeus na Amazonia by Samuel Benchimol Edition: Unknown Binding Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:  THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH MIGRANTS TO THE AMAZON, February 11, 2005 This is a book about the history of the Jewish people in the Amazon region. I am somewhat biased to speak about it, as I am the grandson of the author.  The book focuses on tracking the history of the Jewish migration that took place mostly in the 19th century from Morocco to the Brazilian Amazon. These immigrants were and are an integral part of the communities today living in the region, though the vast majority either live in the largest cities (Manaus and Belem) or have moved to Rio or Sao Paulo. There are tables listing all the families that migrated to the region, as well as lists of all burials in local Jewish cemeteries. It also explains a bit the motives behind the migration (anti-Semitism in Morocco coupled with economic opportunity in Brazil).  If you would like a copy of this book, I would be happy to get one for you, just send me an e-mail.

Amazon Sweet Sea review by Denis Minev

		Amazon Sweet Sea: Land, Life, and Water at the River's Mouth by Nigel J. H. Smith Edition: Hardcover Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:  WATCH, READ AND LEARN - AMAZON MEETS ATLANTIC, May 15, 2005 Nigel Smith is a longtime student of the Brazilian Amazon. In this illustrated book, he attempts to capture the social, economic and environmental reality of the estuary region of the Amazon river, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.  This is a wonderfully illustrated book, with the pictures going a long way in capturing the reality of the region. The region is quite peculiar even within the Amazon in that it suffers the influence of the Ocean, with ingredients such as daily tides and beaches that are not common elsewhere in the Amazon.  The social and economic contrasts are vast: on the one hand, there is the city of Belem, with over 1 million people and a cosmopolitan feel to it; on the other hand, you have the people who live in the banks of the thousands of rivers that crisscross each other on the way to the Ocean, living very simple lives, often without electricity. The book depicts, with few words and many images, the distinct local living conditions.  The environmental aspect, which makes the region all the more interesting, is present throughout. Despite an economy heavily dependent on natural resources, especially in the Marajo island, the author presents an ecossystem that is often well integrated with man. For example, he demonstrates how people survive off gathering acai (a local plant), crab or eels, in such a way that the resources are naturally replenished.  The sweet sea is clearly a distinct region from the rest of the Amazon, and hence deserves unique attention. The books gives one a full view of life there (human or not), which is quite amazing. I highly recommend this book for the armchair voyageur, or to someone considering visiting Belem and surroundings. It will definitely give you a perspective that most of the locals don't even have.

Amazon review by Denis Minev

		Amazon: A Young Reader's Look at the Last Frontier (River) by Peter Lourie Edition: Paperback Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:  GOOD BOOK FOR THE YOUNG READER ON THE AMAZON, November 23, 2005 This book is aimed at giving a brief picture of the Amazon to a young reader. It focuses on a few aspects, such as: the indians living in the Amazon, the gold rush around the southern Amazon, the river and its dolphins, and the rubber boom and the railroad built to transport rubber.  The book is written as a travelogue, describing the author's trip chronologically. It is simplistic, of course, as any book for children should be, but it provides some vivid pictures of the region. About half of the pictures are very good, the rest should have been reconsidered.  My main criticism is that he associates the colonists as being evil doers destroying the forest; it is hardly ever an evil vs good fight. Anyways, I would recommend it especially to a family with children planning a trip to the Amazon as a way to wet the appetite.

The Brazilian Amazon Rainforest review by Denis Minev

		The Brazilian Amazon Rainforest by Luiz C. Barbosa Edition: Textbook Binding Availability: In Stock
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:  GOOD HISTORY OF AMAZON RELATED EVENTS, ONLY OK ANALYSIS, January 5, 2006 In this book, the author intends to initially describe the history of major projects and dreams for the Amazon through military and civilian rule in Brazil. The facts are indeed interesting and likely correct. The author describes in good detail the grand dreams of the military government to develop the region. Then he describes the sea change that occured when democracy returned. With democracy, there was a renewed interest in preservation.  However, the analysis is difficult to swallow from a few perspectives:  1. Much of the analysis is written from a traditional marxist point of view, with a veil of class conflict, which in this case means poor indians and farmers vs international interests. It often feels like he simplifies scenarios by bringing in the marxist class conflict perspective to explain situations that are in fact more complex than that.  2. Along with the marxist perspective, any explorer in search of profit is poorly portrayed in the book. The author focuses on government action and plays down private enterprise in the Amazon as basically undesirable. It becomes clear quite quickly that the author does not believe in capitalism.  3. There is a main thesis, that democracy brings about preservation. Though it seems to be true, the book forcefully tries to fit every single fact to match the thesis. Some conclusions do not seem warranted.  Overall, I would not recommend this to someone just getting acquainted with the region. If you are knowledgeable of the economics and sociology of the Amazon, then this is a good book to give you a different non-mainstream somewhat biased perspective.

The Lost World review by Denis Minev

		The Lost World (Tor Classics) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Edition: Mass Market Paperback Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:  THE ORIGINAL TALE OF DINOSAURS IN THE MODERN WORLD, February 27, 2006 This is Conan Doyle's original tale of dinoasours still alive in the world. The setting is a plateau deep in the Amazon jungle, separat5ed from the rest of the world by very high rock walls. Up on this plateau dinosaours have survived.  The book beging with Professor Challenger, a forceful and egotistical scientist claiming dinosaurs are alive in the jungle and he has seen them in a recent trip. A team is put together to verify this claim, including Challenger, another professor (Summerlee), a big-game hunter and a journalist (the narrator). This group arives at the plateau and begins exploring a way to get up on it. Once up there, they verify the existence of those dinosaurs, having terrifying experiences with pterodactyls and Tyranossaurus Rex. They also meet humans and an ape species that dominate the humans. The story unfolds from then to the climatic end, when Professor CHallenger releases a pterodactyl in a scientific gathering in London.  Overall, this is an entertaining book, it reads like a precursor of Jurassic Park and other monster thrillers. One interesting fact is that the place described by Doyle in fact exists: it is Mount Roraima, at the Brazil/Venezuela/Guyana border. It is exactly as Doyle described it, which is fitting since he based the book on it. Though the plateau is interesting and strange, upon it there are no dinosaurs.

Amazônia review by Denis Minev

		Amazonia: Formacao social e cultural by Samuel Benchimol Edition: Unknown Binding Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:  BOOK ON THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE AMAZON, March 12, 2006 This is an important book on the people who today compose the society that lives in the Amazon rain forest. In Brazil alone there are 20 million people, yet most of the attention is paid to deforestation, with little paid to the people who live in it.  The main groups include indians, British, Americans, portuguese, jews, arabs, Japanese, among others. The book dedicates a chapter to each of these populations.  I am somewhat biased in this review since I am the author's grandson. If you would like a copy of this book, feel free to get in touch with me by e-mail.

The Amazon Rainforest review by Denis Minev

		The Amazon Rain Forest: The Largest Rain Forest In The World (Natural Wonders) by Galadriel Watson Edition: Library Binding Availability: In Stock
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:  BOOK FOR TEENAGERS ON THE AMAZON, March 30, 2006 This is a nice little book for pre-teenagers unacquainted with the Amazon to read. It touches on the main points related to the forest, such as fauna, flora, its society, economics, geography, environmental conditions and deforestation, among other issues. It also does a brief description of the life work of Henry Walter Bates, an early British explorer of the Amazon who cataloged thousands of new insect species in the region.  Overall, this is a very simple and short book, to be read in about an hour. If you just want a quick intro to the region for your kid, this is okay. Anything more, you should look elsewhere, such as Adrian Forsyth's Tropical Forest.

The Amazon review by Denis Minev

		The Amazon, 2nd: The Bradt Travel Guide by Roger Harris Edition: Paperback Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:  BEST IN CLASS, THOUGH NOT THAT GOOD, April 1, 2006 Among all guidebooks I have seen on the Amazon, this one did the best job of gathering information and putting it in an easily readable fashion.  The book is divided among the different countries in the region. Knowing the attractions mainly of the Brazilian Amazon, I can say that about half of the businesses, phone numbers, addresses, etc. are outdated. It is to be expected, since this guide was published 4 yrs ago. The Brazilian section is good, with good advice especially on the surroundings of Manaus. It also provides good advice on what to bring and what to look for in the Amazon, which is useful and timeless.  To someone considering a trip to different places in the Amazon, if you want to get just one guide, I would recommend this one. If you are going to just one place, perhaps as a second guide book this would help, but I would not rely too heavily on the companies listed there, many of them no longer exist.

Tropical Nature review by Denis Minev

		Tropical Nature: Life and Death in the Rain Forests of Central and South America by Adrian Forsyth Edition: Paperback Availability: In Stock
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:  ENCHANTING DEPICTION OF THE RAIN FOREST, April 9, 2006 Among books that aim to express to readers the wonders of the rain forest, this one stands out. In 17 chapters that touch upon different aspects of the rain forest, the authors transmit their own passion for the rain forest and the unique intricacies that make rain forests some of the most precious places on earth.  The book is not written as one coherent whole, but rather as 17 individual chapters or essays. Below is a brief sample of topics:  - the strategy of dung scarabs to capture important proteins  - the symbiotic relationship of sloths with the trees they prefer  - the mimicry some insects have developed to elude their main predators, birds  - the reason why some birds have developed migratory patterns to temperate climates  - the reason why some frogs developed a parental care strategy and even marsupial pouches  - the reason why some trees are hollow  - how parasited species can benefit even in the most unlikely scenarios  - why some plants developed hallucinogenic substances  These are just a few of the topics covered in the book. It is written in a pop science format, so that an interested reader will easily understand and appreciate these and many more concepts. The authors carefully explain the relationships, often comparing the rain forest experience with those of temperate forests. The authors also focus on the possible evolutionary principles involved in adaptations presented.  This is the very best introductory book on the subject. It is designed to excite the reader into learning more and even visiting the rain forest. In the mold of Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins, Miyata and Forsyth write a masterpiece that will make the reader feel smarter after reading it.

The River of Doubt review by Denis Minev

		The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard Edition: Hardcover Availability: In Stock
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:  DEFINITIVE ACCOUNT OF THE EXPLORATION OF ROOSEVELT RIVER, April 24, 2006 Millard does a masterful job of bringing to life not only an expedition in the Amazon jungle, but also the very interesting characters that composed it, from the very famous (US President Teddy Roosevelt, his son) to regionally famous characters (Rondon in Brazil) to unknowns (naturalists, priests, etc.).  The book opens with a description of the times in US and Latin American politics. It was a time of the Panama canal, Latin American instability and the establishment of US leadership in the region. Against that backdrop, a formerly powerful man, Roosevelt, seeks his last swan song as an explorer in the Amazon, seeking to do somehting truly significant in a time of explorers (Amudsen, Mallory, etc.).  The expedition is quite clearly poorly planned and the different philosophies of its joint leaders (Roosevelt and Rondon) burst out amid the difficulties they face in the jungle and in enormous repeated rapids. The true story includes murder, drowning, abandonment, indian attacks, starvation, not to mention the more vain human constants of pettiness, ambition, deceit, and pride.  Ultimately, Roosevelt and Rondon put on the map a 1 thousand mile long river, which was to be renamed from "River of Doubt" (hence the title) to "River Roosevelt", as it stands today. This is the kind of book one will read in only a few short days, unable to put down the exciting story. The pictures included also contribute to clarify the true nature of the adventure. I highly recommend this book, as I believe it will fast become the authoritative account of Roosevelt?s expedition and a classic of Amazonian exploration.

A Crossbowman's Story review by Denis Minev

		A Crossbowman's Story Availability: Currently unavailable
ACCOUNT OF ORELLANAS TRIP DOWN THE AMAZON, May 15, 2006 This book tells the story of Francisco de Orellana?s trip in 1541 and 1542 down the Amazon river. It is written from the perspective of one of the crossbowmen in Orellana?s party.  If you are interested in Amazon history, especially as it relates to explorers, this is a book you must read. It goes into detail not only on the region that is explored but also of the social connections between the Spaniards and their motivations. It tracks the expedition from its beginning, when Orellana races to catch up with Gonzalo Pizarro?s group (Francisco?s brother), to the moment the parties get separated, to the decisions made along the way that caused deaths or allowed them to stay alive. It also provides a very good description of the local environment and the account allows the reader to discern many of the main local features, mainly tributaries meeting the Amazon.  I recommend this book for people who are knowledgeable of the Amazon already and would like to know more about this first white man to see the great river from its insides.

AMazonian Dark Earths review by Denis Minev

		Amazonian Dark Earths: Explorations in Space and Time by Bruno Glaser Edition: Hardcover Availability: In Stock
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:  SCHOLARLY INTRODUCTION TO AMAZONIAN DARK EARTHS, June 4, 2006 Amazonian dark earths are a type of soil that has long been known in the Amazon but whose origins have been disputed for many years. Over the last 10-15 years there has been a consensus that these are anthropogenic soils created by agricultural and social methods of old indian cultures in the Amazon.  This book is a compilation of significant academic articles on amazonian dark earths. The most active academics in dark earth study are represented, as well as a good array for sites are studies, from the Tapajós, Negro, Solimoes, and Napo river basins. Also studies are done on the composition of these soils and their anti fungicidal and fertile properties. The most interesting feature of these soils is their continued extraordinary fertility even many centuries after they were formed.  Dark earths are an interesting phenomenon that may hold the key to productive agriculture in the Amazon basin, as opposed to common slash and burn techniques that are so devastating to the region.  This book is not a lively account of dark earths, but a scholarly text. For someone interested in dark earths from a less technical background, I recommend "1491" by Charles Mann, in which there is a significant portion on dark earths. This book is for those seeking a deeper knowledge of the subject.

Breve História da Amazônia review by Denis Minev

		Breve historia da Amazonia by Marcio Souza Edition: Unknown Binding Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
GOOD SUMMARIZED HISTORY OF THE AMAZON, June 4, 2006 This book is in portuguese and is somehwat difficult to come by. Marcio Souza is a celebrated author (perhaps the most celebrated) in the Brazilian Amazon. In this book he succintly puts together thousands of years of human history in the Amazon into about 200 pages.  In so doing, of course much of history is left out or only briefly mentioned. However, the author does touch upon all the major events of Amazon history, with chapters focusing on the following:  1. Conquest by Spaniards initially  2. Colonization of the Amazon, mainly by Portuguese  3. Adventures of naturalists and other travelers  4. Independence of Brazil  5. Cabanagem - the main revolutionary movement in the Amazon in the early 19th century. The author does give a special emphasis to the cabanagem movement, being himself a specialist on it.  6. The rubber boom  7. A more modern view of history  I highly recommend it to someone who wishes to get acquainted with Amazon history, esp regarding Brazil. This is a good starting point, from which the reader can choose to go deeper into particular events in history.

South America Called Them review by Denis Minev

		South America called them;: Explorations of the great naturalists: La Condamine, Humboldt, Darwin, Spruce by Victor Wolfgang Von Hagen Edition: Unknown Binding Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
RARE TEXT ON CERTAIN NATURALISTS, OLD IDEALIZED VIEW, June 4, 2006 Humboldt and Darwin are both highly celebrated naturalists with many texts written on both, esp Darwin. However, the other two, Spruce and La Condamine are two very interesting and important characters who deserve to be remembered as important discoverers.  This texts attempt to put together a short list of important explorers. However, picking only 4 is a hard job, and I am not sure the author picked the best 4 possible -- others that may merit such mention include Alfred Russel Wallace, Henry Walter Bates, among others.  This book gives an idealized image of the explorers. They are portrayed as wholly good people and anyone they encounter that is against them is portrayed as bad people. Such shallow description of character simplifies the stories, but it does not help in knowing the truth. Given that accounts of La Condamine's trip and Spruce's collecting are not very easy to come by, this is useful as an additional source.

The Amazon Bubble review by Denis Minev

		The Amazon Bubble: World Rubber Monopoly (History) by Charles E. Stokes Edition: Paperback Availability: Not in stock; order now and we'll deliver when available
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:  HISTORY OF RUBBER IN THE SOUTHERN AMAZON, July 23, 2006 This book claims to cover the history of the Amazon rubber boom. Setting such high expectations, the book fails to deliver such an all-encompassing story, rather focusing on the history of occupation of a small portion of the southern Amazon and its impact on the rubber boom.  The state of Acre (today in Brazil) has an interesting story, first as part of Bolivia, then as an independent country, then disputed by Brazil, flirting with the US and finally joining Brazil when Bolivia tried to claim it back. It is the smallest state in the Brazilian Amazon and during the rubber boom was said to have the best quality rubber in the world. The story revolves largely around Nicolas Suarez, the great rubber baron of Bolivia who himself tried to retain Acre in Bolivia's hands with a private militia.  The book is interesting, and hence the 3 stars, but it does not cover the subject of the title. Also, the book has pictures of the author's family and tells the story of his family's involvement in Latin America in general, with no particular point to the story in the book.

Explorers of the Amazon review by Denis Minev

		Explorers of the Amazon by Anthony Smith Edition: Paperback Availability: In Stock
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:  COLLECTION OF GREAT EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON, July 23, 2006 The Amazon has always been a source of dreams and threats to European explorers. In this volume, Anthony Smith selects a few explorers and adventurers who have sougth fame, honor, fortune or knowledge in the banks of the Amazon. The selection is a bit random with some characters, but overall provides a very interesting and readable collection of great men and women.  Devoting about 30-40 pages per explorer, the book covers the following:  1) Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil. He was never to the Amazon, so it is a bit unclear what he is doing in this volume.  2) Orellana, the first Spaniard down the Amazon, the first man to report seeing the Amazon women.  3) Aguirre, the madman who went down the Amazon in a murderous rage only to turn back and try to conquer Peru again.  4) Teixeira, the man who asserted Portuguese possession of the Amazon, sailing against the current up the Amazon.  5) Condamine, the first scientist down the Amazon.  6) The Godin's, one fo the greatest love stories in the world, where a woman, separated for 30yrs from her husband, goes down the Amazon to meet him.  7) Humboldt, the last renaissance man, does most of his scientific discoveries in the northern Amazon, including the famous Casiquiare canal.  8) Spruce and Wickham, two botanists and robbers of some of the wealth of the Amazon - cinchona and rubber trees.  9) Arana, the great and evil character of the Putumayo, where some of the greatest atrocities of the rubber boom were committed against indians.  These stories are well told, though some important characters are not listed -- Wallace and Bates, for example. Highly recommended though, as a door to finding out more about this great region and its history.

Humboldt's Cosmos review by Denis Minev

		Humboldt's Cosmos by Gerard Helferich Edition: Paperback Availability: Out of Print--Limited Availability
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:  THE LAST RENAISSANCE MAN, July 23, 2006 Humboldt was a truly extraordinary character. He was a mixture of adventurer and scientist that has rarely been seen, especially with such developed expertise in both areas. This biography covers Humboldt's entire life, with special focus on his trip to Latin America between 1799 and 1804.  This book is written as an interesting narrative, explaining with only passing remarks the actual science behind his achievements. Advances that Humboldt made cover such different fields as botany, geology, geography, anthropology, climatology, magnetism, among others. The book is very good at outlining the spirit of those discoveries; if you would like an actual explanation, look in the Personal Narratives that Humboldt wrote himself.  As an adventurer, he criss crossed South America at a time when much of it was yet undiscovered and uncharted. He mapped the Casiquiare canal, which at the time was a legendary connection between the Amazon and Orinoco basins. He made it from Venezuela to Peru, climbing in the process some of the highest mountains in Latin America (including the Chimborazo, which at the time was believed to be the highest mountain in the world and yet unclimbed). He was for many years the high altitude record holder of the world.  It is amazing such a towering figure is not remembered among the ranks of Einstein, Da Vinci or Darwin. I highly recommend this book and finding out more about Humboldt, especially if you enjoy science, travel or adventure writing.