Book Review: The Lost Cityof Z

David Grann's Lost City of Z:  A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon is as close to non-fiction perfection as I have seen in a long time! Though the story is rather simple, Grann's writing makes the events come alive better than any novel I have read in the recent past. Basically, the tale is about the 1920s explorer Percy Fawcett who has discovered new lands across South America in a time far before satellites, GPSs, and even radio. Fawcett is attracted to dangerous adventures especially those that take place in the Amazon. For years, he had studied the Amazon and determined that there was a lost city inside the tropics that he called "Z". Others may be familiar with this city as El Dorado. For decades, Fawcett had explored in a similar area but was never able to find "Z". Finally, in 1925 (as a man in his middle ages), he decides to find the City of Z or die trying. Along with him, he brings his son and his son's best friend. Without spoiling anything in the book, Grann announces this in his first chapter, Fawcett dies on this expedition. Yet, he does not go forgotten! For decades later, even into 2005, people went searching for Fawcett and the city. However, the majority of these explorers also never returned. After researching Fawcett and his personal life, Grann becomes infected with the "Fawcett bug" as he calls it and decides that he too must follow in Fawcett's footsteps and try to discover the city in Fawcett's honor.

Though this seems like a nonfiction thriller, it is so much more. Grann is able to place Fawcett in with his contemporaries and show the reader how Fawcett's obsession with the region made him a better explored than even the man on Shakleton's expedition. Though Fawcett is not an entirely likable guy, Grann makes the reader sympathize with his neurosis and find compassion for the man who basically forced his family into poverty in order to feed his adrenaline rush (of course Fawcett was more complex than that).

What sets this piece apart from others about Fawcett is Grann's ability to give the reader in depth knowledge on contemporary times while still making the piece read like a thriller. In addition, Grann was given access to Fawcett's family members which in turn gave him access to some of Fawcett's journals and letters that have never before been shown to people outside of the FAcett family. Grann gives the reader a history of the Royal Geographic Society that is as interesting as it is informative. In addition, he brings the reader into the Amazon with just background and description that his audience feels a connection to the region in a similar way as Fawcett did. Overall, Grann is an excellent writer and this piece really shows his abilities. In addition, Fawcett is a superb subject that keeps explorers and readers coming back for more. An absolutely delight to read!

-DLP