Uttermost part of the earth

by Lucas Bridges

Shipped from UK, please allow 10 to 21 business days for arrival. Good, Reaaders Union copy, shelf wear to dj, unclipped, small inscription on front free end paper, otherwise good clean copy, all plates intact

Genres: Travel

558 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Herrholz Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an autobiographical account of a man's encounter with the indigenous natives of the southern most areas of South America, now known as Tierra Del Fuego. The story takes place between around 1870 and the early nineteen hundreds. What is particularly interesting, for me, is how the local tribes, after a brief period of self defense, quickly embrace a new and vastly different culture from overseas with its creature comforts and monetary system. It is perhaps too tempting for those of us who have benefited from modern culture to reminisce about ancient tribal culture which has been changed beyond all recognition. It is the all too common violence against these more primitive peoples with superior weaponry and the abuse of trust which is abhorrent and which we as a modern civilization can be ashamed of.
The Narrator tells of how he is assimilated in the local tribe - a great honour for a white man! How he takes part in their way of life and becomes one of them. This is truly fascinating reading and I am asking myself why this book seems to inhabit the literary underworld. As well as a great story, there is much of interest for the anthropologist and anyone interested in the confrontation between ancient and modern societies.

[Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and very readable account of the Bridges family who first settled in Ushuaia and worked tirelessly to befriend and improve the lives of the native inhabitants of Tierra Del Fuego. Ushuaia has grown into quite a busy port city these days with many Antarctic expeditions coming and going from there. This was a great read to set the scene for what we might expect there. The waters and the coastline were well described , although we were spared the ferocity of the storms often mentioned in the narrative.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great explorer and adventure book.