Glasgow and the Amazon are worlds apart. Chris Clark was born in the former, but felt at home in the latter. Everyone understands that the Amazon is big, but the actual figures of its size and importance are staggering. This is the story of Clark and his battle to save at least some of the Amazon’s unique environment. Anthony Ham was (un)fortunate to be with Clark as his time in the upper reaches of the river system reached its crisis point.
Clark fitted at least three lifetimes into his almost 60 years. He had a gift for languages and worked in publishing, translating an Italian encyclopedia. He also flourished by converting rundown Italian farmhouses for British expats. His third life was in the Amazon, running tours along the river system, before settling in Xixuaú and advocating for its region to be part of a national reserve. Xixuaú was on the frontline of a frontier war between local rainforest-living Brazilians, Indigenous tribes and the rapacious government. Clark and his family were in the crossfire and allegiances changed with the wind.
Clark was fearless. He swam in the same river as alligators, rebuffed corrupt politicians, and continued to live a normal life while having death threats made against him. The other side of that fearlessness was an intractable stubbornness. His addictive love of alcohol and cigarettes was destroying his health. He loved his Italian-born wife, Anna, and his daughters, Cathleen and Nicolle, but his love for the Amazon fractured the family. Despite the inevitable break-up, their love for each other still survived.
At times this story is heartwarming; at others it’s heartbreaking. This is an extraordinary account of an extraordinary life.
Reviewed by Bob Moore
Anthony Ham is a freelance writer and photographer. Over the last eighteen years he has built a reputation as a trusted guide and expert companion for a generation of adventurous readers and safari travellers. A veteran nature and travel writer, Anthony’s work has appeared in newspapers and magazines in Australia and worldwide. Including The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Monthly, Virginia Quarterly Review (VQR – US), National Geographic Traveler (US), BBC Wildlife (UK), Lonely Planet Magazine (UK), Africa Geographic(UK), The Independent (UK), Travel Africa (UK), and others.
Anthony has written more than 100 guidebooks for Lonely Planet. In doing so, he has become a trusted name. He has become Lonely Planet’s go-to writer for difficult assignments. His titles include bestselling guides to Kenya, Tanzania, East Africa, and Botswana & Namibia. Since the beginning of 2016 alone, guidebooks he has written have sold more than 125,000 copies worldwide.
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