Customer Reviews

Heart of the Amazon

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book in 2 days and didn't want to put it down until I was done because it was so interesting and exciting. I read Back From Tuichi by Yossi Ghinsberg which I believe was later released as Heart of the Amazon. Great! Great! Great! Just goes to show that life is often more exciting and interesting than fiction. The author did a great job and you really feel what he is going through.

This is a truly amazing story about 4 guys whose adventure in the Amazon slowly turns into a fight for survival. Under intense pressure their faith in each other is shaken and teamwork breaks down. 2 will pay with their lives. If you liked "Into thin Air" you will love this book. My copy of this book was read by 5 freinds and they all loved it. I have never owned a book which so many people wanted to borrow.

This book is a real sleep stealer and heart-stopper. Once Yossi was lost I could not put it down. His amazing, Amazonian adventure, told in graphic, hair-raising detail, but without pity, illustrates the human spirit at its most magnificent. Sheer will, faith and a refusal to be beaten allow him to endure privations and setbacks that would have been the end of a lesser man. Read it if you like adventure, read it if you need to restore your faith in humanity or read it just because you enjoy a good book, but do read it.

In many ways the best part of the book comes at the very end. A Yossi humbled and enlightened by his experiences gives an insight into some of his perceptions of life. There are words here that found a strong echo in my own heart. I am the richer for having read his book.

I picked up this book whilst looking for my usual crime novel thinking I may not like the change. But to my amazement, I couldn't put this book down and read it in two days. (A record for me) This book is a very well written true and insperational story of survival. The stories along the way, about the different villages, local people, customs, plants, animals and cities gave me great insite to many regions of South America. I cried, held my breath and imagined myself in many of the beautiful places that they travelled. I would recommend this book to any one. It amazes me how one can survive such harrowing conditions. The strong friendship between Kevin & Yossi should be an example to us all. It makes me realise that my life is an easy one. Congratulations and thank you to the author, Yossi Ghinsberg for sharing this story with us.

This book changed not only the way I perceive the South American jungle, but about the nature of human interaction, as well as isolation. I couldn't put it down.

What the players on the popular survival shows go through is nothing compared to what the author of this book went through to survive in the Amazon jungle! Yossi Ghinsberg set out with three other men to experience a real jungle, and for sure, encountered incredible plant and animal life. But it didn't stop there. When the foursome split into two groups, Yossi and his companion then became separated when Yossi was swept away down the powerful Tuichi River. At that point, Yossi was on his own, and narrates his awesome struggle for survival...to find food and shelter, and to combat such things as the fungus that was eating his feet, jaguars, fireants, termites that carpeted his body and bored into it, and steep, slippery cliffs. Whew! I am reading the book a second time, this time to my teenage children, to give them an appreciation for what true suffering is, and to help them realize that humans can, with motivation and determination, endure and overcome great obstacles. When we start complaining about our daily irritations, this is the kind of book we need to read to help us consider our blessings.

I don't read books... so you ask yourself why I am writing this review? It normally takes me months or even years to complete a book. Heart of the Amazon had me hooked from start to finish - and can you believe that it took me just 1 week!!!

This made my facinastion for the Amazon even stronger. The courage and strength of these 4 young men leaves me speechless. If you have any sense this is one book that must be read and take it from an expert, it won't take you years to read!!!

I bought this book after hearing Yossi Ghinsberg tell his tale at a conference I attended. He is even more incredible in person, and adds humor and reflection on the events that took place in the jungle. Many people left wondering if his story were true. It's an incredible story, and I was thrilled to find that while I read the book, I could hear Yossi's voice in my head, telling his story again.

I felt I was on this trip,he made this book so real for me. It got better and better as it went along, unbelievable it's not fiction. Hard to put down.Anyone who likes adventure mixed with the unknown in another culture will love this.

Yossi has been a friend of my mother for about 1yr now, personally I'm not one for reading these types of books, but my mum told me it was really good. Finally i sat down and began reading, the story was great. I have met Yossi once and it was really weird reading about someone you know having such an amazing adventure. If Yossi reads this review this is Julia, Wendas daughter. You did good Yossi, one fantastic book you got there. See ya