Masters of the Lost Land: The Untold Story of the Amazon and the Violent Fight for the World's Last Frontier

by Heriberto Araújo

In the tradition of Killers of the Flower Moon, a haunting murder-mystery revealing one of the most devastating crimes of our time: the ruthless destruction of the Amazon rainforest--and anyone who stands in the way.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Environment, Nature, Natural History

Audio CD

Published August 2, 2022

Reviews

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Araujo, Herberto, Master of the Lost Land
In 1984, Jose Dias de Costa (Dezinho) and his wife moved to Rondon to become homesteaders. Air pollution, however, soon turned a dream into a nightmare. Their children fell sick and heinous logging conditions caused him to join a union. After getting elected union president, he fought to eradicate debt bondage, investigate murders, and fight land grabs. His fight came at a price, however. In 2000, he was assassinated. His wife, Maria took over. This is the story of how they fought to change things and the deadly problems they encountered.

Well-researched and informative, the story is intriguing and engaging. Araujo does a great job of bringing a wide range of issues and large time frame to light without overwhelming the reader. Readers who like true crime, history, and non-fiction will want to pick this one up.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with Joshua Hammer's review in the New York Times:

Araujo tries mightily to keep the momentum of his narrative going, but his cavalcade of hit men, peasant victims, rapacious landowners, criminal attorneys, police officers and others caught up in the violence becomes difficult to keep track of, and many of the stories blur. Moreover, the hero of Araujo’s tale, Maria Joel, never emerges as a fully realized protagonist, often given to fortune-cookie pronouncements such as: “The seed planted never stops growing and eventually bears fruit” and “You should care about the jungle, but never forget about us.” // Still, Araujo’s accretion of detail has a powerful effect, demonstrating how deeply the culture of violence has seeped into the social fabric of Amazonia — and how hard it will be to eradicate.

[Benny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The land grabbers are rarely brought to justice for their illegal acquisition of vast areas of the Amazon forest. The injustice is exemplified by the challenges faced by Maria Joel throughout the book.

[Ionia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Masters of the Lost Land" by Heriberto Araujo is an absolutely riveting read that I found both deeply informative and startlingly intense. Set in the heart of the Amazon, this narrative nonfiction uncovers the brutal reality of deforestation and the struggle for control in one of the world’s most vital ecological regions.

What struck me most about this book was its ability to make the heart pound and the breath catch. Araujo’s storytelling is both gripping and haunting, as he delves into the dark underbelly of environmental destruction and the human cost that accompanies it. The detailed account of the city of Rondon do Pará, Brazil, living under the control of land barons, paints a vivid picture of the ruthless destruction of the Amazon rainforest. This isn't just a tale of environmental woe but a human story of greed, corruption, and the fight for justice.

The book’s central figure, Maria Joel, the widow of murdered union leader Dezinho, brings a compelling and inspiring personal narrative. Her fight against the formidable backdrop of corruption and lawlessness is both harrowing and attention grabbing. Araujo's work is a testament to the resilience and determination of those who stand against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Araujo’s meticulous research and investigative journalism skills shine throughout the book, bringing to light groundbreaking revelations and exclusive interviews. The narrative skillfully intertwines the personal stories with broader environmental and political issues, making it not just an account of a local struggle but a reflection of a global crisis.

"Masters of the Lost Land" is not just a book; it's an experience that immerses you in the heart of the Amazon, revealing the harsh realities of its transformation from a virgin forest to an agricultural frontier. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental issues, true crime, or simply a compelling, well-told story.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edit: I had to lower my rating upon further reflection. The topic is super important and the destruction of forest tragic wherever they occur but this story is only tangentially that story. Its more a slog through Brazilian politics. When compared to my other read I can't keep this score and am refining my assessment to a weak three on the Goodreads scale.

This is a tough read if you don’t know Brazil’s history and geography. A map helps with the later and there are companion maps but you’ll need to make a list for the former as Araujo throws name after name at you. And, few, are ones you might know like Lulu or Bolsonaro. Most are the victims and perpetrators of crime in the Amazon region that mean little to anyone not familiar with Brazil’s history.

The book is advertised as one of Amazon’s rapid deforestation but it quickly focuses on the plight of various families. The author admits as much in the epilogue. Bait and switch? Hmm, not really because it’s a story needing told and one providing perspective of the region and conditions that let to such rapid deforestation. In this indirect way, Araujo gets to the heart of deforestation.

The story isn’t surprising – powerful people using their influence to gain what they want at the expense of others. Brazil is no different than other countries.

I felt this was more of a clinical approach with so many different victims an emotional connection proved elusive to me. Araujo delves deeply into the family of José Dutra da Costa who was assassinated before his wife took up his cause. Her and her children’s plight afterwards is where Araujo builds the emotional connection with the reader. But it comes well past the halfway mark of the book.

I think the real emotional connection should come from the injustices of the powerful and the destruction of the Amazon rain forest. Here, I think, Araujo could have been stronger.

A weak four, revised to a three, on the Goodreads scale; more like a strong three (two) and a half. Worth reading but plan on a mix of work and pleasure with an emphasis on the former.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been interested in the fate of the Amazon and Brazil. I was a Fulbright scholar in Brazil in 1999 in the far south of the country. I have not been to the Amazon, and it is not a trip for the faint-hearted. My knowledge of Brazilian politics, especially of the Landless Movement, and history did lend to my appreciation of this book.

The writer set out with a goal of writing a book on how to save the Amazon. He was quicky pulled into a complex web of political corruption, widespread violence and murder, and political indifference supported by the power of wealthy landowners. It turns out that much of the land that these wealthy people "own" was obtained illegally. Much of the story is told through the experiences of a peasant labor leader Dezinho, in Rondon do Pará, in the state of Pará. After his assassination, his widow Maria Joel carried on his work.

The extension of corruption in Pará and the Amazon region is mind boggling. Beef raised in the region is one of the top exports of Brazil. But more revealing was the introduction of the crop product of soybeans. This crop which has been planted extensively on deforested Amazon land, is now number two of all Brazilian exports. It was revealing to me because simply giving up beef will not save the Amazon. Soybean crops may be even more destructive. Saving the Amazon cannot be separated from global capitalism and the forces of neo-liberalism as this author discovered when he started investigating the topic.

For Portuguese speakers, the audiobook will be very satisfying as the narrator is proficient in the pronunciation of the Portuguese names, including institutions and laws. Other readers may appreciate reading a print or electronic version more. I listened to the audiobook but plan to buy the paperback when it becomes available.

Highly recommended to readers interested in environmental issues, saving natural resources, the Amazon, and/or Brazil.

[Dexter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting exposé into what politics and life looks like in the Amazon jungle. I learned a lot about the class struggles in Brazil and came away with more appreciation for the Amazon forest and the specific reasons for the fight over it. The villains in this book are heinous money grabbers and to me are the end point of what capitalism breeds.

[Karmi Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yikes, this was eye opening after having seen the MST encampments across Brazil years ago. Ridiculous that these people are hunted for protecting the resources of the Amazon and the people who live there.

[Peggy Haufle · Rating 2 out of 5]

True crime book that hid the true crime under too much information that really doesn't assist the story.

[Miranda]

I don't know why, but this book just could not hold my attention. I'm admitting defeat and starting a different book.

[Olly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long and winding read, but fascinating insight into rural Brazil and the workings of rancheros and their families/politics.

[Anne Andersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the important subject. A story about landgrabbing and lawlessness in Amazon, Brazil.

[Kt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Non-fiction - current affairs, politics, true crime

Does the blurb reflect the plot: it barely scratches the surface of what’s ahead

Sum it up: Master of the Lost Land is a comprehensive read of a David and Goliath battle between rich and resourced criminal kingpin Joséloi de Barros and land rights activists José Dutra da Costa ‘Dezinho’ and his wife Maria Joel. Araujo is a journalist, and the exposé stories he was wrote over four years of reporting on the destruction of the Amazon in Brazil was what lead to this book. The upside is this is that the book is exceptionally well researched and very detailed. However, at times, I struggled to follow along as Araujo included so much detail that it distracted from the main story. This is often a trap that non-fiction writers fall into and when it did happen, it took away from the main story, making for hard reading. Overall through, it was a well balanced read, that had many interesting parts and from which I learnt many new things due to its informative nature.

Who should read it: those with an interest in the environment, deforestation, true crime, Brazil and Southern America and current affairs will not doubt find Araujo’s book interesting and informative.

Masters of the Lost Land is my tenth read in #ktbookbingo. Category ‘Set in South America’. To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @peggyanne_readsandruns on Instagram.