By
Cy B. Hilterman "Cy. Hilterman" (Cherry Tree, PA United States)
When I started this book I was not sure if I would like it but on I
continued and got into one of the most fascinating books I have read.
To be in the Amazon area of South America on an expedition with nothing
but jungle, heat, insects, animals, possibly cannibals, natives of
unknown friendliness, and really not much positive in the area at all
but danger lurking in every step. I think you can see why my mind
changed quite fast when I really got into this expedition. The first
expedition occurred when Nathan and Mark, both African Americans, were
young and went on an expedition with a few college friends and
professors all of whom were white or of mixed race. At first the
brothers were outcasts because of their color but to most on the
expedition, they proved themselves and mostly fit in and were a great
help on the trek through such a dangerous area. The story started
current day with Nathan telling his family about his adventurous trip in
the Amazon so many years ago. The family was all ears and loaded with
questions.
The two brothers themselves had their differences,
Nathan being a leader and not afraid to express his thoughts and
opinions with Mark the opposite. They got into their own battles. I
think Tonto, the name Nathan gave to one of their guides, was my
favorite character in the bunch. He was faithful and always there for
them when needed to try to interpret the many languages they would run
across as they met many tribes. Their original party was a mixed bag of
various origins with varied thoughts and ideas of life and now, the
jungle. The group lost some members through battles and some from
illness. There are no doctors in a huge jungle. They did eventually
meet a tribe that cautiously let them stay with them but neither trusted
the other. Before they had left, Nathan was tricked into being their
shaman when their current shaman, the tribes' spiritual leader and also
one of the main advisors, was killed. The thing that Nathan didn't
understand was that the shaman had to marry the chieftains' favorite
daughter. How to get out of this mess? Through much planning and good
fortune, what was left for the expedition arranged secretly to get away
without being noticed. They still had a huge trek to get clear of the
area. Eventually they tricked their way out of the area and made it back
home.
Forty-years later Nathan wanted to return to see if any of
his family was alive. The group was much older now and a lot less
spry. Much had occurred during this second trip, some good, and some
bad. The tribe had diminished in numbers and very few lived long enough
to have survived the time when the expedition had previously been
there. Now after a strange second trip, they had to plan their getaway
once again. Eventually their plans were set. In a huge area such as
the Amazon, nothing goes as planned and this case was no exception.
Join the group as they continue their attempts to get home. A very good
book.
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