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The Cloud Forest: A Chronicle of the South American Wilderness
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$ 27.96
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| Retail Value |
$ 34.95 |
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$ 6.99 (20%) |
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| Item Number |
1353312 |
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Item Description...
Product Description
For twenty thousand miles, Peter Matthiessen crisscrossed the South American wilderness, traveling from the Amazonian rain forests to Machu Picchu high in the Andes, down to the edge of the world at Tierra del Fuego and back. In the course of his journey, he followed the trails of old explorers; encountered river bandits, wild tribesmen, and the evidence of ancient ruins; and discovered a fossilized snout of a giant unknown crocodile hidden in the depths of the jungle on the wild mountain rivers of Peru. Filled with observations and descriptions of the people and the fading wildlife of this vast world to the south, The Cloud Forest is Matthiessen s incisive, wry report of his expedition into some of the last and most exotic wild terrains in the world.
Gift of Grace Books was established to glorify God in thanksgiving for his abundant grace.
2 Corinthians 4:15 "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." |
Item Specifications...
Binding CD
Release Date Jan 25, 2010
ISBN 1441710620
EAN 9781441710628
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Availability 2 units.
Availability accurate as of May 25, 2012 05:07.
Usually ships within one to two business days from La Vergne, TN.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Travelogue Feb 10, 2009 |
With the exception of the last chapter, which comprises one hundred plus pages, this is basically a mental travelogue.
I was hoodwinked by the back cover where it mentions the author traveled 20,000 miles through South America. It does not inform the reader that the majority of his movements were by plane, train, bus and auto for half the book. Misleading.
The final chapter does deserve its place in adventurous undertakings though. Rafting down the menacing Peruvian Urubamba River and through the unforgiving Pongo Rapids does have its rank in historical accomplishments. Searching for primitive mandible bones and lost ruins in such a merciless environment is good arm-chair exploring.
I could have done without the other chapters, comparable to watching a mind-numbing documentary.
| | |  | Interesting but Racially Insensitive Nov 19, 2008 |
| Matthiessen's account is an honest travelogue of South America, dedicating much of its time to the Peruvian jungle. His narrative portrays a paradoxical mix of racial insensitivity, ignorance, enlightenment and progressive views. He refers to some cultures as almost subhuman, at one point proclaiming that one tribe would be better off killed at birth than living their miserable lives while at other times sympathizing with and even trying to interact with the indigenous peoples he encounters. He dislikes both Evangelical and Catholic attempts at "civilizing" the Indians thinking them more dignified when left alone and away from outside influences but he abhores the Quechua and Aymará ascribing them all manner of derogatory traits which teach the reader more about his own prejudice than about these cultures. Matthiessen refers to numerous prior works on South America and the this site and it seems that many of these colonial 19th century views on race have influenced his own. As someone who has lived in Bolivia for many years, I find his adventures fascinating, his accuracy and prose commendable but must also strongly caution readers that many of his derogatory descriptions of entire cultures are both wrong and offensive. | | |  | Amazonian and Altiplano Travelogue Nov 9, 2006 |
| I bought this book because, having extensively traveled in Peru and horse-packed in the Peruvian Andes, I was interested in what the book had to say. Although the book was written 24 years before I first went to Peru, it was interesting to see how little had changed in those ensuing years. Not having been in the this site basin, I cannot speak to Peter Matthiesen's observations about the Indian tribes in the area, although I detected a lot of "gringo" condescension on his part. I flat out disagree with his characterizations of the "altiplano" indians, finding them warm, humorous and interested in "turistas" and travelers. The young children are amazing! They have no creature comforts, tend llamas, alpacas, and spin wool at the tender age of three or four, yet have the most beautiful smiles and natures! Peter Matthiesen is obviously a expert, dedicated birdwatcher, and naturalist, detailing many of his sightings. Matthiesen's encounters with Peruvian "artful dodgers" are well told and his many travails, particularly on the Urabamba river are exciting. | | | | Adventures through the Pongo on a raft Sep 11, 2001 |
| What I like about Matthiessen's account is that he has no clear destination (e.g, through "some remarkably bad planning, I crossed the Andes nine times in five months")., and hence open to adventure and experience. He writes of what he sees and what affects him. He also is reflective about how he effects the local residents or native Machiguenga guides. I have some sadness that the tribes he encountered (1960's) may no longer be there. He writes honestly, not claiming superiority, for example he takes pistol shots at crocodiles. His adventure down the Urubamba was particularly compelling ... would he find the giant crocodile bones, would he find the lost city ruins? Along the way he manages to accomplish something remarkable (the traverse of the Pongo), and as any proud adventurer, tries to understand if his adventure was historically unique. For bird watchers, there is an added enjoyment of trying to identify some of the birds he describes along the way. This travel journal sets a standard for other adventurers and for my own daily journals. | | | | Adventures through the Pongo on a raft Sep 10, 2001 |
| What I like about Matthiessen's account is that he has no clear destination (e.g, through "some remarkably bad planning, I crossed the Andes nine times in five months")., and hence open to adventure and experience. He writes of what he sees and what affects him. He also is reflective about how he effects the local residents or native Machiguenga guides. I have some sadness that the tribes he encountered (1960's) may no longer be there. He writes honestly, not claiming superiority, for example he takes pistol shots at crocodiles. His adventure down the Urubamba was particularly compelling ... would he find the giant crocodile bones, would he find the lost city ruins? Along the way he manages to accomplish something remarkable (the traverse of the Pongo), and as any proud adventurer, tries to understand if his adventure was historically unique. For bird watchers, there is an added enjoyment of trying to identify some of the birds he describes along the way. This travel journal sets a standard for other adventurers and for my own daily journals. | | | Write your own review about The Cloud Forest: A Chronicle of the South American Wilderness
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