a tale that waited a century to be told…

This is a true story.

After six years of prospecting for gold in South Africa, 31-year-old Lee Williams sails to South America in pursuit of the ultimate adventure. A long horseback trek across the highlands of Argentina brings him to La Paz, Bolivia, where he meets James Orton, an Englishman and, like himself, “an experienced victim of the wanderlust.” They are of one mind: to follow the Amazon from a trickle in the mountains of southern Perú to its mouth on the Atlantic. A journey of more than 4,000 miles and a feat that no one before them had claimed.

The expedition begins without fanfare in May 1907. Day after day, they follow the river into the depths of endless forest, the trappings of civilization vanishing behind them. As they near their journey’s end, they imagine the acclaim that awaits. But their story will have a far different ending, and the sole record of it is Williams’s account published in a New Orleans newspaper—and then forgotten.

“Unique, informative, entertaining, and written with a genuine flair for narrative storytelling, Amazonia 1907 is extraordinary and unreservedly recommended.”  —Midwest Book Review

“Resurrected from oblivion, Amazonia 1907 is the first-hand account of an epic, early twentieth-century expedition — a journey of over 4,000 miles on foot, horseback, raft and riverboat. Inspired, intelligent and replete with keen observations, Williams’s narrative is a classic adventure travelogue.”  —Keith Muscutt, author and explorer of Peru’s Upper Amazon

“Williams unreels his remarkable story with the immediacy, wit and moral response of Mark Twain in Following the Equator.”  —Book Report

“Journeys to mysterious places are as old as civilization, but I have never read a wilderness account as mesmerizing as this one. Williams’ two-year adventure in the wildest place on earth is a tale not to be missed.”  —Wayne Flynt, Historian and Author

From a bookstore: If you’re lucky enough to have an independent bookstore nearby, we hope you support them! You’re unlikely, however, to find our books there. Most booksellers order their stock from a single distributor rather than various publishers. At present, we’re among the small presses who’ve lost their affiliation with a national distributor—for no larger reason than being small…

From Fair Oaks Press: Just let us know what you want, and your order will be processed upon receipt and mailed free of charge. We’ll enclose an invoice and trust you to make payment by cash or check at your earliest convenience. (Allow eight days for delivery; arrangements can be made for express mail.)

To Booksellers and Librarians: We heartily apologize for the inconvenience of ordering from us. But in addition to the standard wholesale discount, you’ll receive free shipping and heaps of gratitude!

We enjoy hearing from readers, booksellers and librarians. If you have a question or are in any way displeased with the item or service you received, please let us know.

Email: publisher@fairoakspress.com
Telephone: 415-508-1390  (No text messages.)

Fair Oaks Press
262 Somerset St.
San Francisco, CA  94134