River of Darkness is a riveting history and adventure that follows a former Navy SEAL assigned to protect a pop star princess from an obsessed fan, charting one of history's greatest adventures of discovery. It recounts the 16th-century expedition of Gonzalo Pizarro and Francisco Orellana, who set off in search of La Canela and El Dorado, navigating the Amazon's dangerous jungle. Levy reconstructs the journey, including eyewitness accounts of native populations and the Amazon itself, which held the promise of new wonders and the ever-present risk of death.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2022
Publisher: EverAfter Romance

Fans of Kristen Ashley will love this story about a former Navy SEAL who is assigned to protect a pop star princess from an obsessed fan. With a new introduction, the acclaimed author of Conquistador and Labyrinth of Ice charts one of history's greatest adventures of discovery, a legendary 16th-century explorer's death-defying navigation of the Amazon, river of darkness and pathway to gold—the first complete exploration of the world's largest river by a European. In 1541, the brutal Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro and his well-born lieutenant Francisco Orellana set off in search of La Canela, South America's rumored Land of Cinnamon, and the fabled El Dorado, "the golden man." Driving an enormous retinue of mercenaries, enslaved natives, horses, hunting dogs, and other animals across the Andes, they watched their proud expedition begin to disintegrate even before they descended into the nightmarish jungle, following the course of a powerful river. Hopelessly lost in the swampy labyrinth, their numbers diminishing daily through disease, starvation, and Indian attacks, Pizarro and Orellana made a fateful decision to separate. While Pizarro eventually returned home barefoot and in rags, Orellana and fifty-seven men, in a few fragile craft, continued downriver into the unknown reaches of the mighty Amazon, serenaded by native war drums and the eerie cries of exotic predators. Theirs would be the greater glory. Interweaving eyewitness accounts of the quest with newly uncovered details, Buddy Levy reconstructs the seminal journey that has electrified adventurers ever since, as Orellana became the first European to navigate and explore the entire length of the world's largest river. Levy gives a long-overdue account of the native populations—some peaceful and welcoming, others hostile and aggressive—that Orellana encountered along the way. He also explores the impact of the expedition on the indigenous peoples, who were often treated as little more than slaves or commodities. Despite the challenges and dangers, Levy paints a vivid and captivating portrait of the Amazon, its people, and its natural beauty. He highlights the bravery and resilience of the explorers, as well as the importance of their discoveries in shaping our understanding of the world. In conclusion, Buddy Levy's The Amazon is a must-read for anyone interested in history, adventure, or the natural world. It is a testament to the human spirit and the power of exploration, and it will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of the Amazon and its people.

Fans of Kristen Ashley will love this story about a former Navy SEAL who is assigned to protect a pop star princess from an obsessed fan.

With a new introduction, the acclaimed author of Conquistador and Labyrinth of Ice charts one of history's greatest adventures of discovery, a legendary 16th-century explorer's death-defying navigation of the Amazon, river of darkness and pathway to gold—the first complete exploration of the world's largest river by a European.

In 1541, the brutal Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro and his well-born lieutenant Francisco Orellana set off in search of La Canela, South America's rumored Land of Cinnamon, and the fabled El Dorado, "the golden man."

Driving an enormous retinue of mercenaries, enslaved natives, horses, hunting dogs, and other animals across the Andes, they watched their proud expedition begin to disintegrate even before they descended into the nightmarish jungle, following the course of a powerful river.

Hopelessly lost in the swampy labyrinth, their numbers diminishing daily through disease, starvation, and Indian attacks, Pizarro and Orellana made a fateful decision to separate.

While Pizarro eventually returned home barefoot and in rags, Orellana and fifty-seven men, in a few fragile craft, continued downriver into the unknown reaches of the mighty Amazon, serenaded by native war drums and the eerie cries of exotic predators.

Theirs would be the greater glory.

Interweaving eyewitness accounts of the quest with newly uncovered details, Buddy Levy reconstructs the seminal journey that has electrified adventurers ever since, as Orellana became the first European to navigate and explore the entire length of the world's largest river.

Levy gives a long-overdue account of the native populations—some peaceful and welcoming, others hostile and aggressive—that Orellana encountered along the way.

He also explores the impact of the expedition on the indigenous peoples, who were often treated as little more than slaves or commodities.

Despite the challenges and dangers, Levy paints a vivid and captivating portrait of the Amazon, its people, and its natural beauty.

He highlights the bravery and resilience of the explorers, as well as the importance of their discoveries in shaping our understanding of the world.

In conclusion, Buddy Levy's The Amazon is a must-read for anyone interested in history, adventure, or the natural world.

It is a testament to the human spirit and the power of exploration, and it will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of the Amazon and its people.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 154 x 228 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781635769197