Quest for the Lost City

Rating:
Summary: Certainly one of the ten best travel adventure books ever.
Review: My father read this book aloud to me when I was 7. When I was 37, I read it aloud to my sons. Now I am in my 50's, and I still pick it up and reread a chapter here and there. It is a really exceptional piece of nonfiction.

The narrative style is terse, but highly descriptive. The construct is deceptively simple: a newly wed couple, eager for adventure, hears about a tanalizing archaeological site- a well preserved pre-Columbian city, discovered by a flyer who lost his way over Central America. With only sketchy information about where this site is, they set out from California'on foot! With only what they can carry on their backs!

And what adventures these intrepid campers find! Held hostage by mexican bandits, adored by villiagers whom they help, they repair and fly an unflyable plane named Whezelbritches, navigate uncharted caverns and live off the land for food, medicine, and shelter. They also shoot, charm, and barter their way through dozens of tight spots, any one of which would have sent Indiana Jones packing.

And as if you weren't already getting double your money's worth in adventure, this narrative also has some timeless demonstrations of what makes a marriage successful. I won't tell you how their quest ends, but the climax to the adventure is unforgettable.

I am really looking forward to reading this book to my grand children!

Rating:
Summary: Certainly one of the ten best travel adventure books ever.
Review: My father read this book aloud to me when I was 7. When I was 37, I read it aloud to my sons. Now I am in my 50's, and I still pick it up and reread a chapter here and there. It is a really exceptional piece of nonfiction.

The narrative style is terse, but highly descriptive. The construct is deceptively simple: a newly wed couple, eager for adventure, hears about a tanalizing archaeological site- a well preserved pre-Columbian city, discovered by a flyer who lost his way over Central America. With only sketchy information about where this site is, they set out from California'on foot! With only what they can carry on their backs!

And what adventures these intrepid campers find! Held hostage by mexican bandits, adored by villiagers whom they help, they repair and fly an unflyable plane named Whezelbritches, navigate uncharted caverns and live off the land for food, medicine, and shelter. They also shoot, charm, and barter their way through dozens of tight spots, any one of which would have sent Indiana Jones packing.

And as if you weren't already getting double your money's worth in adventure, this narrative also has some timeless demonstrations of what makes a marriage successful. I won't tell you how their quest ends, but the climax to the adventure is unforgettable.

I am really looking forward to reading this book to my grand children!