The Cloud Forest: A Chronicle of the South American Wilderness (Classic, Nature, Penguin)

A 1961 account of travels in wild South America by noted author Peter Matthiessen. If you read natural history travel accounts at all, you will eventually read some of the author's books such as "The Snow Leopard" or other similar accounts. There are a couple of strengths of this book which is divided into 2 main parts. The first part is hit-and-miss travel along the Amazon to the Andes from the very tip of South America up north to Peru. The author has a strong naturalist background and describes well the fauna and flora of the areas he visits.The second part of the book is stronger and revolves around the authors' expedition in a mostly unknown area of Peru rafting down a wild river in search of a reported giant fossil (which he finds) and an isolated ancient ruin (which he doesn't find). As in most travel books the personalities of the author and the people with whom he comes in contact make the travelogue more exciting. The river run through an isolated canyon is a s good as any river run story I have ever read.And though his characterization of the locals may seem harsh, it is really quite accurate on the whole based on my experience in South America. Overall enjoyable and exciting. 4 stars.

A good book, written by a truly amazing writer. One can easily see where “At Play in the Fields of The Lord” came from.

I bought this book because, having extensively traveled in Peru and horse-packed in the Peruvian Andes, I was interested in what the book had to say. Although the book was written 24 years before I first went to Peru, it was interesting to see how little had changed in those ensuing years. Not having been in the Amazon basin, I cannot speak to Peter Matthiesen's observations about the Indian tribes in the area, although I detected a lot of "gringo" condescension on his part. I flat out disagree with his characterizations of the "altiplano" indians, finding them warm, humorous and interested in "turistas" and travelers. The young children are amazing! They have no creature comforts, tend llamas, alpacas, and spin wool at the tender age of three or four, yet have the most beautiful smiles and natures! Peter Matthiesen is obviously a expert, dedicated birdwatcher, and naturalist, detailing many of his sightings. Matthiesen's encounters with Peruvian "artful dodgers" are well told and his many travails, particularly on the Urabamba river are exciting.

With the exception of the last chapter, which comprises one hundred plus pages, this is basically a mental travelogue.I was hoodwinked by the back cover where it mentions the author traveled 20,000 miles through South America. It does not inform the reader that the majority of his movements were by plane, train, bus and auto for half the book. Misleading.The final chapter does deserve its place in adventurous undertakings though. Rafting down the menacing Peruvian Urubamba River and through the unforgiving Pongo Rapids does have its rank in historical accomplishments. Searching for primitive mandible bones and lost ruins in such a merciless environment is good arm-chair exploring.I could have done without the other chapters, comparable to watching a mind-numbing documentary.

The writing is so beautiful and so full of a sense of place, it pulls you along. The descriptions are startling and poetic and he seems to be always scanning the horizon for birds and butterflies and flowers. Even the most desolate places he travels through seem to be filled with creatures and visions. Even Allen Ginsberg makes a surprise appearance.If only I wrote like this, I would quit my day job and be on the first cargo ship out of here.

I loved the way Mr. Matthiessen simultaneously describes what he is seeing and his emotional and intellectual response to it. He is honest and crisp and bracingly intelligent. I recommend this to anyone who admires great writing, who loves the outdoors, who appreciates travel and adventure and hardship. The moment I submit this review I'll begin my next book by Mr. Matthiessen, probably going with fiction this time. He is a genuine master of both genres.

This is one of the most dull and lifeless travelogues. It doesn't really come alive until her starts down the river over land. Even then he pads it out with a lot of extraneous empathizing and analyzing.What you get mostly in this book is tons of lists of birds. Apparently the author is a big bird fan.Everything is so dream-like and detached. Very unengaging.The best thing about this is the references to other books about South America such as the ones by Tomlinson and McGovern. I plan to read these other books now.Nonetheless, I do plan to read a couple others by Matthiessen, "The Snow Leopard" and "Under the Mountain Wall".

Interesting anecdotes - well-written - fascinating facts - a good read! I bought the book because I grew up in Recife, Brasil. It brought back memories.