Lost in the Jungle by Yossi Ghinsberg

by Yossi Ghinsberg

Genres: Survival

Paperback

Published January 1, 1844

About the author

Yossi Ghinsberg is an Israeli adventurer, author, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and motivational speaker based in Australia.
Ghinsberg is most known for his survival story of when he was stranded in an uncharted part of the Bolivian Amazon jungle for three weeks in 1981

Reviews

[Tina Ha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm skeptical of the high reviews this book has received. While the story is barely passable, unfortunately the survivor and author of this book is insufferable, arrogant and a gaslighting bully who doesn't know how to apologize or admit to their mistakes which caused a great deal of suffering to a one of their fellow party members. There is also a great deal of needless animal suffering in this book from kicking and dragging a dog which they forced to come with them to a bird still alive in pain after getting shot.

[Nicole Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible true story. Full of wonder and you are left marveling at the one man’s determination to survive. The best book and most amazing story I have read in a long time. I’ll be coming back to this one again and again!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost in the Jungle by Jossi Ghinsberg is a story of a true event.

Yossi meets three others in South America. Longing for adventure, they embark on a journey in the Amazon. This is what intrigued me to read the story.

The beginning is complicated with the relationships of these four individuals who don't work well together. While I didn't like reading the petty issues, it also rang very true. Four meeting for the first time, unaware of each other's personalities, then heading out on a rough adventure lent itself to pairing off and silly disputes.

For me, when the foursome broke into pairs (one set returning, the other continuing the journey), the story really became interesting. We experience survival at bleak moments. We learn it is best to stay by the river. It is easier to travel along or in the water than through the jungle, and if needed, it is the only place one can be found if needing rescuing.

While it is true the character is arrogant, we also see Yossi's change over the course of the book. He realizes the importance of community and friends. That living the life of a hermit is not as wonderful as it seems. He also sees his inability to survive on his own. This story is dynamic. An eye-opener to the Amazon Jungle.

I would have given this story a 5, but the beginning chapters and the petty issues .... yeah. Keep reading, the best is yet to come when they split into two groups, readers!

I'm looking forward to seeing the movie's portrayal of this story.

[Sarah Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great recounting of what happened to Yossi, Kevin and Marcus. The way Yossi tells much of the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. Also a good reminder that it’s important to go into a trip like this prepared rather than relying on others.

[George Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have what it takes to push on? An exciting journey. I couldn't stop reading. Sometimes it felt drawn out or repetitive, but I'm not mad.

It makes me think of a lifestyle I have been training towards, which is being comfortable with the uncomfortable.

[Gavin Bruns · Rating 4 out of 5]

kind of hard to get into the book but in the end, it was a really good book about tragedy and survival in one of the most dangerous places on earth.

[Lailei Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard lesson about arrogance…
Inspiring true story. The movie is great too. <3

[Russell Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting story of survival and hard times

[Barb.hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreadful writing with wild adventures gone wrong, but then later redeeming attempts to playback society and Mother Earth.
Odd book to be sure. $1.99 special through BookBub

[Jenna Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, suspenseful and one of my favorite survival stories! Highly recommend.