The most recommended books on the Amazon River

Who picked these books? Meet our 13 experts.

13 authors created a book list connected to the Amazon River, and here are their favorite Amazon River books.
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Book cover of The Saddest Pleasure

Tim Hannigan Author Of The Travel Writing Tribe: Journeys in Search of a Genre

From my list on writing about the real world.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve been fascinated by nonfiction since my teens, by the idea of books about things that really happened. Fiction gets all the kudos, all the big prizes, all the respect. But as far as Iā€™m concerned, trying to wrestle the unruly matter of reality onto the page is much more challenging ā€“ imaginatively, technically, ethically ā€“ than simply making things up! My book The Travel Writing Tribe is all about those challenges ā€“ and about the people, the well-known travel writers, who have to confront them every time they put pen to paper.

Tim's book list on writing about the real world

Tim Hannigan Why did Tim love this book?

Great travel writing requires serious honesty ā€“ and thereā€™s no more honest book than this. An aging, crotchety American sets out on a sentimental journey through Brazil after a forced departure from his adopted home in Ecuador. You start out thinking that heā€™s been the victim of some sort of sketchily explained injustice, but as he travels, he gradually tears more and more strips off himself and your perspective changes. Brutally honest. Thomsen is also remarkably open about his own writerly craft: ā€œlet me shift my characters around a bitā€ he says at one point, revealing the fundamental tension of nonfiction ā€“ between faithfulness to narrative and faithfulness to reality.

By Moritz Thomsen,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Saddest Pleasure as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Unflinchingly honest about his family, his failures, his already broken health at the age of sixty?three and the loss of the hopes he once had for himself, Thomsen is also sickened by the corruption and rapacity of our societies, the inequality and the economic destitution. What starts as an almost reluctant concatenation of memory and poignant, limpid descriptions of Brazil, grows into a shattering romantic symphony on human misery and life s small but exquisite transcendent pleasures. He spares the reader nothing.


Book cover of Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home

Dion Leonard Author Of Finding Gobi: A Little Dog with a Very Big Heart

From my list on animal and human connections.

Why am I passionate about this?

Dion Leonard is an Australian/British ultra runner who competes around the globe in endurance ultra running events ranging from 100 miles to over 240 miles in some of the most extreme conditions known to man. He has numerous top 10 finishes in some of the toughest races on the planet. An international bestselling author with 5 books in over 21 languages; Dionā€™s story has been featured on CNN, NBC Today Show, Good Morning Britain, CBS, CNBC, ABC America, Associated Press, ESPN, Pickler and Ben, CCTV, BBC, and many others. Dion is an inspirational speaker, animal welfare advocate and raises money and awareness for animals in need.

Dion's book list on animal and human connections

Dion Leonard Why did Dion love this book?

An emotional story that talks about bravery, hope, and loyalty. During an adventure race through the jungle of Ecuador in South America, a Swedish race team lead by Mikael Lindnord befriends a mangy, but determined dog. The dog (Arthur) joins the team and their adventure begins. In the end, the team saves the dog. But, as is so often the case in these animal/people encounters, it is the dog who becomes the quiet hero and ultimately saves the human.

By Mikael Lindnord,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Arthur as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

When you are racing 435 miles through the jungles and mountains of South America, the last thing you need is a stray dog tagging along. But that's exactly what happened to Mikael Lindnord, captain of a Swedish adventure racing team, when he threw a scruffy but dignified mongrel a meatball one afternoon.

When they left the next day, the dog followed. Try as they might, they couldn't lose him - and soon Mikael realised that he didn't want to. Crossing rivers, battling illness and injury, and struggling through some of the toughest terrain on the planet,ā€¦


Book cover of Mother of God: An Extraordinary Journey Into the Uncharted Tributaries of the Western Amazon

Kim MacQuarrie Author Of The Last Days of the Incas

From my list on the amazing country of Peru.

Why am I passionate about this?

I lived in Peru for five years, working as a writer, filmmaker, and anthropologist. For part of that time, I lived with a recently-contacted tribe in the Upper Amazon, visited Maoist Shining Path ā€œliberated zonesā€ and later made a number of documentaries on the Amazon as well as have written a number of books, most of which are on some aspect of Peru. Peru remains one of the most fascinating countries on Earth--a kind of dense amalgamation of ancient civilizations, archaeology, immense biodiversity, incredible beauty, and lots and lots of adventure. Although thereā€™s no substitute for visiting Peru yourself--reading about it is a great way to begin your adventure!

Kim's book list on the amazing country of Peru

Kim MacQuarrie Why did Kim love this book?

No one should make a trip to Peru--whether physically or via literature--without visiting the Amazon Jungle, which makes up 60% of Peruā€™s territory and is a whole world unto itself. The Upper Amazon is the Earthā€™s final frontier, where uncontacted Amerindians still roam, and that contains some of the richest biodiversity on Earth. This book will take you right into the thick of it.

By Paul Rosolie,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mother of God as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

For fans of The Lost City of Z, Walking the Amazon, and Turn Right at Machu Picchu comes naturalist and explorer Paul Rosolieā€™s extraordinary adventure in the uncharted tributaries of the Western Amazonā€”a tale of discovery that vividly captures the awe, beauty, and isolation of this endangered land and presents an impassioned call to save it.

In the Madre de Diosā€”Mother of Godā€”region of Peru, where the Amazon River begins its massive flow, the Andean Mountain cloud forests fall into lowland Amazon Rainforest, creating the most biodiversity-rich place on the planet. In January 2006, when he was just a restlessā€¦


Book cover of The Saddest Pleasure
Book cover of Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home
Book cover of Mother of God: An Extraordinary Journey Into the Uncharted Tributaries of the Western Amazon

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