In a malarial outpost in the South American rain forest, two misplaced gringos converge and clash in this novel from the National Book Award-winning author. Martin Quarrier has come to convert the elusive Niaruna Indians to his brand of Christianity. Lewis Moon, a stateless mercenary who is himself part Indian, has come to kill them on the behalf of the local comandante. Out of this struggle Peter Matthiessen creates an electrifying moral thriller-adapted...

Twenty-four-year-old Rachel Vinrace is launched into a journey of self-discovery when she embarks on a sea voyage to South America with her aunt and uncle. Originally from a London suburb, she meets a menagerie of interesting people while on the trip and strikes up life-changing conversations with them. As her experiences start to shape her into a worldly woman, she begins to find her sense of self and determine what she wants most in the world.

The discovery of a corpse five centuries dead in the South American jungle portends the a wonderful and terrifying secret waiting to be unleashed upon humankind.

Special Forces Officer Winslow Grange, having been sent to the jungles of South America to help a general gain control of his nation, is distracted when the daughter of his foreman arrives unannounced and sets out to prove to him he needs her in his life.

Carl Fredericksen is a 78- year-old curmudgeon. He used to enjoy his modest life as a balloon seller when his adventure-loving wife Ellie was still alive. When she died, Carl was left with his memories and the awareness that they never made their dream journey to Paradise Falls in South America. When well-meaning officials consign Carl to Shady Oaks Retirement Home, he rigs thousands of helium balloons to his house and floats away. He discovers that...