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Masters of the Lost Land

The Untold Story of the Fight to Own the Amazon

Heriberto Araujo author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Atlantic Books

Published:19th Jan '23

Should be back in stock very soon

Masters of the Lost Land cover

This compelling narrative explores the fight for justice in the Amazon, showcasing the resilience of those battling against oppression. Masters of the Lost Land reveals their inspiring story.

Deep within the Amazon rainforest lies a gripping true story of struggle and resilience. Masters of the Lost Land unveils the harrowing tale of a region under the oppressive grip of Josélio de Barros, a notorious land baron whose rise to power was marked by violence and environmental destruction. With a history steeped in cruelty, Josélio seized vast tracts of public land, employing ruthless tactics against anyone who dared to oppose him. The narrative captures the chilling atmosphere of fear and intimidation that permeates the lives of those living in the shadow of his empire.

At the heart of this struggle is Dezinho, a dedicated leader of a small farm workers' union who stood up against the rampant land grabs and human rights abuses. His shocking assassination sent ripples of despair through the community, prompting questions about accountability and justice. The local populace, well aware of Josélio's involvement, held their breath as they awaited the authorities' response—would justice finally be served?

In the wake of tragedy, Dezinho's widow, Dona Joelma, emerged as a formidable force for change. She rallied the community and garnered national media attention to shine a light on the injustices plaguing the Amazon. Masters of the Lost Land not only chronicles this compelling fight for justice but also highlights the broader implications of ecological preservation in the face of political adversity, emphasizing the vital role of the Amazon in the global climate crisis.

Gripping... Araujo's accretion of detail has a powerful effect * New York Times *
Heriberto Araújo tells a story you likely haven't heard before... this book is uniquely informative about one of the most important social conflicts of our time * Prospect *
A compelling and forensically researched piece of investigative reporting... [with] more twists and turns than a Hollywood spy thriller. * Spectator *
Such narrative diligence feels like a necessary corrective to a reality mired in crime and cover-up... this book tells a story we all need to hear. * New Statesman *
A meticulously researched, vivid and complex picture of the violence and corruption at the heart of the Amazon * Geographical *
[A] deeply researched report from the front lines of the battle for the Amazon. * Publishers Weekly *
An arresting examination of the history of extreme deforestation and violence in the Brazilian Amazon... Excellent * Kirkus Reviews *
A gripping true crime mystery that transports readers into the heart of the Amazon to witness the human toll of its destruction and the incredible will of its people to fight for the future of this unique place - and the planet. Masterfully reported and engagingly written, this is a must-read. * Greg Grandin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The End of the Myth *
This is journalism at its absolute best, made even more impressive when one considers the obstacles, obfuscation and threats so often encountered there when trying to ferret out the truth... an essential book. * Joe Jackson, author of The Thief at the End of the World: Rubber, Power, and the Seeds of Empire *
With a journalist's insight and a scholar's scrutiny, Heriberto Araujo tells the timeless story of dominance, displacement, murder and social injustice that drive large-scale environmental destruction * Roman Dial, author of The Adventurer’s Son *
A tour de force... Araújo's masterful reporting from the frontlines in the war for the world's most important tropical biome should be required reading for policy makers, and for anyone who cares about the fight for social and environmental justice for Amazonia's forest peoples. * Jeremy M. Campbell, author of Conjuring Property: Speculation and Environmental Futures in the Brazilian Amazon *
Heriberto Araújo, drawing on his years of research, has written an essential journalistic account of the murder, mayhem and mind-boggling corruption surrounding the assault on the Amazon. * Dr. Gary Sick, Columbia University, Board Member of Human Rights Watch *
Heriberto Araujo does a significant service to Amazonia by providing a look into the social hell that accompanies the destruction of the Amazon rainforest... No one can read this account without coming to the conclusion that we must prevent such events from continuing. * Philip M. Fearnside, National Institute for Research in the Amazon *
Highly readable * The Economist on China's Silent Army *
Fascinating and vivid * Spectator on China's Silent Army *
Truly impressive * Financial Times on China's Silent Army *

ISBN: 9781838951450

Dimensions: 230mm x 178mm x 20mm

Weight: 385g

432 pages

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