The subtitle is "A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon." That kind of gets your attention, doesn't it? The tale does not disappoint. David Grann became intrigued with the story, so much so that he went himself into the mysterious Amazon area before he wrote this book.

He calls Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett the "last of the great Victorian explorers who ventured into uncharted realms." Fawcett was famous in his day for his brave explorations, but is less well-known today. He sparked much interest after he disappeared in the South American jungle. Many attempts were made to find him or to learn his fate. Some "rescue" parties were wiped out by starvation and disease, or retreated in despair; others were murdered by tribesmen.

Until that last journey, Fawcett had been successful in surviving the almost impossible conditions, although he had lost members of his party. "To those who could keep up with him, he showed tremendous loyalty." He was physically strong and emotionally determined and single-minded. The qualities that made him a great explorer "also made him terrifying to be with." Grann relates several instances of his forging ahead through river and jungle tangles, often neglecting to wait for those less hardy.

He carefully chose his companions, but more than once made mistakes about their endurance. For example, he initially welcomed the polar explorer James Murray, who had accompanied Ernest Shackelton in Antartica. However, qualifications for exploring polar regions and the Amazon are not necessarily the same. Murray became sick and could not keep up, sometimes questioning Fawcett's judgment. He had to be sent back, while the others continued. The men never forgave each other.

In addition to his desire to explore, Fawcett's goal in the Amazon wilderness was to find the "lost city." Beginning with the Spanish explorers, many sought the City of Gold of legend. Fawcett suspected that the Indians of the Amazon held secrets long overlooked by historians. Early on, he learned to befriend the often fierce and dangerous natives of the area and was often saved by them, though others were held captive or murdered.

His treatment of the Indians was one of the reasons he survived until the last adventure. He traveled lightly and quietly, used competent guides, and stayed in excellent physical shape. He had fought bravely in World War I, earning his title of "Colonel."

In 1925, he set out with two companions, his older son Jack and Jack's friend Raleigh Rimell. From dispatches sent back before they disappeared, Grann learned that even these well-trained, tough young men had trouble keeping up with Fawcett. As late as 1996, expeditions searched for the Fawcett party. Their fate is still unknown, but their story, as told by Grann, is an exciting one.