Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

Review and Giveaway

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann

368 pgs. Paperback

Doubleday

This is a guest review written by Tamara of Books by TJBaff.

This is not a fictionalized account of Percy Fawcett's adventures in the Amazon basin. This strives to recount quite accurately the information that Fawcett recorded about his explorations. It is mixed with the stories of a couple of other explorers that also attempted to find the lost city of El Dorado...and David Grann who tried to follow the footsteps exactly that Percy had travelled while searching for his mythical city of Z. It is unsure about why he even called it Z but he seems to have become obsessed with the idea of it and it had assumed an almost nirvana-like mysticism in his dreams.

This was a time in history when technology hadn't caught up with the dreams and needs of the adventurers in the jungle and when people went exploring they often disappeared for months and sometimes years...with no way of contacting those in the civilized world. Some never returned to their loved ones and the assumption was that they had perished in the 'green hell' that had taken over their lives. Hostile natives, disease or being the prey of carnivorous hunters was most probably the fate of all who disappeared but these mysteries just seemed to fuel the enthusiasm for hundreds of men and they all hoped to be the one to crack the mystery of The Lost City Of Z.

I was intrigued in spite of myself (I have always enjoyed a good adventure story) and quickly read through this book although it was a little dry and I needed to read it over several nights. It required thinking about as I was reading unlike a piece of fiction. The account also felt disjointed through parts of the book and I grew to wish that David Grann had just written about Fawcett and not muddied the waters by introducing some other explorers. After all, David Grann was interested in following Mr. Fawcett's footsteps...no one else's.

I did enjoy the story and was thrilled to read the last chapter. It brought the quest for the lost city of Z to a satisfactory conclusion. This book has been sold and is presently in production for a 2010 release starring Brad Pitt as Colonel Percy Fawcett.

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Thank you Tamara.

For those interested in more background on the story here is a fascinating interview with David Grann about the book at Powell's Books.

The Lost City of Z was also enthusiastically reviewed by:

Colleen at Foreign Circus Library.
Alyce at athomewithbooks.
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Thanks to the generosity of Doubleday I have two copies of The Lost City of Z by David Grann to give to my readers.

To enter:

1) Become a follower or subscriber (if you're not already) and just tell me you want to read this book. If you already follow, just remind me and I'll enter you.

2) Blog about this giveaway and put a link back to it and I'll give you a second entry. If you don't have a blog, email 3 friends telling them about this giveaway and copying me at sfuhringer (at) sympatico (dot) ca.

Entry is open worldwide until midnight Sunday March 8, 2009. Be sure to leave an email address if you don't have a blog where I can contact you.

Winner will be announced on Monday March 10, 2009.

If you've read or reviewed this book, leave a link to your review (or leave comments, but NO spoilers please) and I'll add it to the post.

51 comments:

  1. No need to enter me in this giveawy. I blogged about it here:

    http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/02/this-weeks-giveaways-galore_20.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh! Enter me! I was just looking for a giveaway of this book.

    I'm a Google Reader subscriber.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have become a follower, thank you for this contest!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really enjoyed this book- my review is posted here

    No need to enter me obviously, just wanted to add my recommendation to others to add this to their must-read shelf!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm a follower, and I'll be honest...

    I read and LOVED this book. I can't bear to giveaway my copy, but my dad would love it. So can I enter anyway?

    Thanks!
    Sararush (at) hotmail (dot) com.

    PS-Brad Pitt would make an excellent Fawcett. He's who I cast while reading.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds great. I would love to read it.
    I have become a follower!
    rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  7. *Teddy: Thank you so much, I appreciate that.

    *Colleen: Thank you, I have posted the link to your enthusiastic review.

    *Kristen M.: You're entered.

    *Bcteagirl: Welcome to Fresh Ink Books, I do love my followers.

    *Sara: Of course you can enter, you've done so much for me by always posting my giveaways without even entering for the books. I love it when my regular readers enter, I know they'd really appreciate having the books.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am a follower and would love to read this book. Please include me in your drawing.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm following you !
    acrisalves AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've posted about your giveaway in my blog
    http://acrisalves.blogspot.com/

    acrisalves AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  11. No need to enter me. I loved this book! I posted my review today. Here's the link:

    http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/lost-city-of-z-by-david-grann-review.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is totally my kind of book. Please enter me (I follow you thru' google reader)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I follow you, please enter me!

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This book sounds great! I'd love to read it and I'm a follower!

    ReplyDelete
  15. *Becca: Welcome to Fresh Ink Books. I hope you find things here you enjoy reading.

    *Stacie: I always remember my readers with pictures of themselves. I love it that my 'regulars' are entering for this book.

    *Debdesk: Another new follower, welcome.

    *Cristina Alves: A very nice post about my giveaway it is too, with a cover and everything. Thank you.

    *Alyce: Thanks so much, you're link is up and your comments are always appreciated.

    *violetcrush, Meg89, and Neverwithoutabook: I remember you all and you're entered. Those little pictures really help, like I said.

    *Meg89: I've always wondered. Who is that you're kissing anyway?

    ReplyDelete
  16. i don't need to enter this contest, since i am finally reading my own ARC. Thanks for posting the review and other info..i am liking this book very much..what a time in which to live. Gentlemen Adventurers..and "empty spaces" on World Maps...Boggles the mind!
    JUDE

    ReplyDelete
  17. Please include me in your drawing. I am a follower.
    Thanks
    Carlene
    willreadforever@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  18. I haven't heard of this but it sounds like a book I'd enjoy. Please count me in.
    Following..

    ReplyDelete
  19. You caught my attention with the description of hardship in the jungle. Any time characters in a book endure adversity, it usually tells a tale of overcoming. I would love to be entered in this book giveaway please.

    I'm also following you on Google Reader. Thanks! Indigo

    ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am a follower of your blog and would love to read this book!
    tiffanyhunsinger@netscape.net

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Sandra,
    Please enter my name for a chance to win The Lost City of Z. I am already a follower and I blogged about your giveaway here: http://aseasontoread.blogspot.com/2009/02/who-would-like-to-win-book.html

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sounds like a brilliant book that both my dad and I would love to read!


    Thanks

    I follow you and am subscribed to your RSS feed!

    nancyrobster@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I sent out an email and cc'd you!



    Thanks



    nancyrobster@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I follow you!

    Like to read this book about the Amazon! Just finished 'Darwin slept here'by Eric Simons about Darwin's travels through South America. Love this subject.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm following you. Thanks for the giveaway:)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am a subscriber!

    And I blogged about this:
    http://www.morbid-romantic.net/2009/03/02/book-giveaways-0302-0308/

    Valorie
    morbidromantic@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am a follower and I would Love to win this book!

    livingmyhappilyeverafter at yagoo

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would like to be included in the drawing of this book. Aw, it sounds interesting to me. :)

    ivan[dot]girl25[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a fascinating adventure story line! I have become a follower of your site and subscribed to your RSS feed via my Yahoo Reader Page.
    Please enter my name in your delightful book giveaway drawing.
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm following you!
    Please enter me!
    meh471 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi !
    I was already a follower and i would like to enter the contest !

    acrisalves AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm a new follower of your blog! :) I'd love for a chance to win this book.

    ReplyDelete
  33. No need to enter me - I enjoyed your guest review Tamara. I just posted my review today!
    http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/2009/03/lost-city-of-z-david-grann.html

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm a follower! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I suppose I have been living under a rock because I am not familiar with this story at all. I would love to read about it! Please enter me in your fun book giveaway drawing.
    I am a fan/follower of your blog.
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am a follower and I would most definitely love to read this book.

    thanks for sharing

    ceashark at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hey Sandra,

    I would love to be entered! Oh, and I am already a follower. :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would love to be entered. I am a follower

    jason@allworldautomotive.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am a follower and would love to read this book

    ReplyDelete
  41. Oh I'd love this book!! We're a family of history lovers and I'd love to share this with my teen children.!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Follower. This book sounds like one I could lose a few hours in.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I'd love a copy of this book! Thanks for the giveaway.

    I am a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am a follower. Please enter me. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I followed. Thank you.

    candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the entry .

    ReplyDelete
  47. Here's my link Sandra

    http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/2009/03/lost-city-of-z-david-grann.html

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thanks for telling me about this post ... I enjoyed reading it since I just read it too!

    ReplyDelete

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