Lost Treasure of the Inca (Hardcover)

by Peter Lourie (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Lourie has taken his readers along on his water journeys up the Amazon, down the Hudson, along the Yukon and the Rio Grande, and through the Erie Canal and that "river of grass," the Everglades. Here, in a decided change, he relates how years ago he was infected with a serious case of gold fever. Lured by legends surrounding a portion of Atahualpa's ransom spirited away from the gold-greedy Spaniards, Lourie, in company with a local crew, entered the remote, rugged Llanganati Mountains of Peru-a craggy wilderness covered with thick cloud forest, quaking bogs, and treacherous fogs, where altitude sickness sapped his energy. Needless to say, the rumored 750 tons of worked gold still lies (if it truly exists) concealed in the Llanganatis. A revisit to the locale years later prompted this fascinating book, an Indiana Jones-mix of history, lost treasure, and visions of wealth. The readable text is accompanied by color photos on almost every page. Team this with Tim Wood's pictorial The Incas (Viking, 1996) and Johan Reinhard's remarkable Discovering the Inca Ice Maiden (National Geographic, 1998) for a marvelous look at a vanished civilization.
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Once again, Lourie (Rio Grande, p. 224, etc.) will fire readers' imaginations with his search for lost Inca gold, on a trek through the high mountains of Ecuador. As in his other adventures, Lourie skillfully links history with his real-life quest; so powerful is his narrative style that readers will fully expect him, toting a 16th-sixteenth century treasure map, to uncover the 750 tons of Inca gold, ransom for the Inca king hidden somewhere on the volcano ``Beautiful Mountain.'' Despite a great effort, Lourie does not find the treasure, but few reading this account will doubt it exists. He concludes: ``I picture myself traipsing though the beard of the world to the treasure mountains, to that mysterious land of the Inca where the great treasure of the Sun King lies buried still.'' He thoughtfully includes the treasure map he followed so that would-be adventurers can attempt their own hunt. Full-color photographs of Inca gold, period illustrations, and contemporary photographs of Lourie and his companions enhance the title throughout. (glossary, index) (Picture book/nonfiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press; 1st edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563977435
• ISBN-13: 978-1563977435
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #651,495 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost Treasure of the Inca, December 13, 1999

By A Customer

I loved this book. It's wonderfully written and right away I was pulled into the adventure of searching for ancient Inca gold. People of every age will not only learn from this book but they'll enjoy every minute of it. It is an artful blend of history and all out adventure. My son loved this book as well; in fact it was something we could appreciate together and from this book we shared hours of conversation. We are recommending Lost Treasure of the Inca to everyone we know. My son particularly appreciated the addition of the treasure map and now he is plotting his own search for lost Inca treasure! This is the kind of book that inspires readers to think about doing something adventurous in their own lives -- it is one of those stories that stays with you after you've put the book down. Peter Lourie is a terrific writer with a gift for making the spirit of adventure come alive on the page.

5.0 out of 5 stars Certain to teach something new to readers of any age, February 4, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lost Treasure of the Inca (Paperback)

Lost Treasures Of The Inca is a nonfiction picturebook written by Peter Lourie for more advanced young readers. Featuring simple yet highly informative language, and enhanced with a wealth of full-color photographs of ancient artifacts and modern-day people, it contains a brief history of the Inca empire and of modern-day archaeological expeditions, young readers will learn a great deal about this amazing past civilization. A highly educational and enthusiastically recommended book, Lost Treasure Of The Inca is certain to teach something new to readers of any age.