The Amazon Stranger

One man obsessed with the Ecuadorian jungle and desperate to save it and its people chronicles the struggle of the Cofan people against Big Oil.

Jeff Caldwell couldn't imagine the obstacles they had to face on the incredible journey into the Amazon. Would the danger of alligators, snakes and dark jun-gle be too much? Would helping Dr. Jones ignite further explosive anger of the Amazon stranger?

"Boys and girls (9-15 years) join Jeff, Mindy, and K.J. on their international adventures as the Reel Kids media club travels around the world. Each well-researched, exciting story is set in a different country, so children not only experience a page-turning adventure but also learn about the people, culture, or history of the nation in which the story takes place. A meaningful series of missionary challenge for young readers who enjoy action! A perilous trip into the jungles of Brazil finds the Reel kids in a struggle with a greedy landowner.

"Boys and girls (9-15 years) join Jeff, Mindy, and K.J. on their international adventures as the Reel Kids media club travels around the world. Each well-researched, exciting story is set in a different country, so children not only experience a page-turning adventure but also learn about the people, culture, or history of the nation in which the story takes place. A meaningful series of missionary challenge for young readers who enjoy action! A perilous trip into the jungles of Brazil finds the Reel kids in a struggle with a greedy landowner.

This new edition has been completely revised with updated information on hotels, lodges and tour operators. It contains a detailed and illustrated natural history section on native species and habitats. The Amazon is an ideal location for eco-travellers, naturalists, sports enthusiasts and explorers. Travellers are given sound advice on responsible travel and planning their own expedition.

One man obsessed with the Ecuadorian jungle and desperate to save it and its people chronicles the struggle of the Cofan people against Big Oil.

Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon is a unique addition to Jules Verne’s beloved adventure series, Voyages Extraordinaire, as it is among the few Verne novels that does not include elements of science fiction. Instead, Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon combines the adventure genre with a murder mystery. After being falsely accused of a crime, Joam Garral was forced to flee Brazil. Now, many years later, he is living on a thriving Peruvian plantation with his family. However, when his daughter is set to marry a Brazilian army surgeon named Manuel Valdez, the couple decide to have their wedding in Brazil, so that Manuel’s mother, who cannot travel, is able to attend the wedding. Nervous about returning to his home country, but absolutely dedicated to supporting his daughter, Joam decides to make the journey to Brazil, and aims to restore his reputation while he is there. With this is mind, the Garral family start their journey, riding down the Amazon River on a giant raft. This journey alone proves to be difficult, as the family must prevail over the dangers of the river. Finally, when they arrive in Brazil, they meet a shady man named Torres, who has an encrypted letter that would clear Joam’s name. However, as Torres tries to extort them, the Garral family must find a way to obtain and decode this letter before Joam is executed. Set in the 19th century, Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon by Jules Verne contains excellent detail that brings its vibrant setting to life. With this vivid scenery and close attention to detail, modern readers are given privileged information on the natural history of the Amazon River, along with a perspective on South American culture and customs. With a dramatic narrative, suspense, and plot twists, Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon is a thrilling and mysterious adventure that keeps readers engaged and captivated. This edition of Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon by Jules Verne features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in an easy-to-read font. With these accommodations, Eight Hundred Leagues on the Amazon is both accessible and entertaining for a contemporary audience.

The Amazon is a land of superlatives. The complex ecosystem covers an area about the size of the continental U.S. The Amazon River discharges 57 million gallons of water per second--in two hours, this would be enough to supply all of New York City's 7.5 million residents with water for a year. Its flora and fauna are abundant. Approximately one of every four flowering plant species on earth resides in the Amazon. A single Amazonian river may contain more fish species than all the rivers in Europe combined. It is home to the world's largest anteater, armadillo, freshwater turtle, and spider, as well as the largest rodent (which weighs over 200 lbs.), catfish (250 lbs.), and alligator (more than half a ton). The rainforest, which contains approximately 390 billion trees, plays a vital role in stabilizing the global climate by absorbing massive amounts of carbon dioxide--or releasing it into the atmosphere if the trees are destroyed. Severe droughts in both Brazil and Southeast Asia have been linked to Amazonian deforestation, as have changing rainfall patterns in the U.S., Europe, and China. The Amazon also serves as home to millions of people. Approximately seventy tribes of isolated and uncontacted people are concentrated in the western Amazon, completely dependent on the land and river. These isolated groups have been described as the most marginalized peoples in the western hemisphere, with no voice in the decisions made about their futures and the fate of their forests. In this addition to the What Everyone Needs to Know® series, ecologist and conservation expert, Mark J. Plotkin, who has spent 40 years studying Amazonia, its peoples, flora, and fauna. The Amazon offers an engaging overview of this irreplaceable ecosystem and the challenges it faces.