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Wild Coast
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Wild Coast (2011) (edit title/settings)

Travels on South America's Untamed Edge

by John Gimlette (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

As he did for Paraguay in At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig (“a raucous blend of history, travelogue, and guide”— Condé Nast Traveler), John Gimlette now does for South America’s far-flung Guianese coast. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana are among the least-known places in South America... read more

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Summary edit see section history

Between the Orinoco and the Amazon lies a fabulous forested land, barely explored. Much of Guiana seldom sees sunlight, and new species are often tumbling out of the dark. Shunned by the conquistadors, it was left to others to carve into colonies. Guyana, Suriname and Guyane Française are what... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Between the Orinoco and the Amazon lies a fabulous forested land, barely explored. Much of Guiana seldom sees sunlight, and new species are often tumbling out of the dark. Shunned by the conquistadors, it was left to others to carve into colonies. Guyana, Suriname and Guyane Française are what remain of their contest, and the 400 years of struggle that followed.

Now, award-winning author John Gimlette sets off along this coast, gathering up its astonishing story. His journey takes him deep into the jungle, from the hideouts of runaway slaves to penal colonies, outlandish forts, remote Amerindian villages, a ‘Little Paris’ and a space port. He meets rebels, outlaws and sorcerers; follows the trail of a vicious Georgian revolt, and ponders a love-affair that changed the face of slavery. Here too is Jonestown, where, in 1978, over 900 Americans committed suicide. The last traces are almost gone now, as the forest closes in.

Beautiful, bizarre and occasionally brutal, this is one of the great forgotten corners of the Earth: the Wild Coast.

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First Sentence edit see section history

As far as Amerindians are concerned, the land between the Orinoco and the Amazon has always been Guiana, the 'Land of Many Waters'.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Introduction
1. The Town of George
2. The Town of Jones
3. The Golden Rupununi
4. A Parliament of Ants
5. The Bloody Berbice
6. Good Morning, Suriname
7. Paramaribo
8. The Hinterlands
9. The Last of the Colonies: Guyane
Epilogue
Afterword
Sources
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
Index

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. John Gimlette (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Profile Books
Country: Great Britain
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-307-27253-9
Page Count: 358

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: F2373 G56 2011
  • Dewey: 918.81

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

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