Alfred Russel Wallace, Henry Walter Bates and Richard Spruce were English natura
lists who went to Amazonia 150 years ago. This book is the first to combine all
three young mens experiences of the Amazon, drawing heavily on their own letters
and books. All three explored an unknown river and had many thrilling adventure
s: violent attacks of malaria, fearful rapids, murder attempts, encounters with
newly contacted indigenous peoples, shipwrecks, and many other hardships.