In his book, Land of Ghost: The Braided Lives of People and the Forest in Far Western Amazonia, David G. Campbell describes his expedition into the Amazon with men who understand the Amazon in order to collect plants on the Brazilian side and to manage two forest inventories to document changes. Campbell stated that many tribes - Poyanara, Nokini, and Naua - are “losing their traditions, languages, and cultures,” therefore, the expedition is an attempt for Campbell to understand the Amazon before what is highly at risk goes extinct: in other words, we can see from the start of his Preface Campbell’s respect for the people and the Amazon as well as his concern for their future (Campbell, p. 27-28). Further, Campbell’s style of writing is captivating and
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The themes that I noted in Campbell’s book were ecological, history, roadbuilding, deforestation, loss, disease and death, local knowledge, and respect. In the “Preface,” Campbell discusses his background on ecological studies in Brazil, explains how he has integrated himself in the culture, and provides discussion on factors that have led to deforestation and loss/destruction - soil fertility, species, language, and pure indigenous (cultural/ethnic mix has become the norm). In chapter 1 “Southern Cross,” Campbell highlights historical aspects like the discovery of rubber, which was Cruziero do Sul’s “reason for being.” He mentions the Transamazon Highway, which led Cruzeiro do Sul to prosper as it became a trading center. We can note that roadbuilding leads to deforestation, expansion, access to other areas creating rapid development, and economic exploitation; ultimately, this official highway got washed out along with bridges collapsing, which led the town to become isolated (Campbell, p. 14-15). As previously mentioned, he provides narratives that demonstrates the importance of preservation in the Amazon to remind of a loss in species, languages, and the local knowledge. Further, he provides details
The themes that I noted in Campbell’s book were ecological, history, roadbuilding, deforestation, loss, disease and death, local knowledge, and respect. In the “Preface,” Campbell discusses his background on ecological studies in Brazil, explains how he has integrated himself in the culture, and provides discussion on factors that have led to deforestation and loss/destruction - soil fertility, species, language, and pure indigenous (cultural/ethnic mix has become the norm). In chapter 1 “Southern Cross,” Campbell highlights historical aspects like the discovery of rubber, which was Cruziero do Sul’s “reason for being.” He mentions the Transamazon Highway, which led Cruzeiro do Sul to prosper as it became a trading center. We can note that roadbuilding leads to deforestation, expansion, access to other areas creating rapid development, and economic exploitation; ultimately, this official highway got washed out along with bridges collapsing, which led the town to become isolated (Campbell, p. 14-15). As previously mentioned, he provides narratives that demonstrates the importance of preservation in the Amazon to remind of a loss in species, languages, and the local knowledge. Further, he provides details