"Epic in its scale, fearless in its scope" (Hampton Sides), this masterfully told account of the American West from a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist sets a new standard as it sweeps from the California Gold Rush and beyond. In Dreams of El Dorado, H. W. Brands tells the thrilling, panoramic story of the settling of the American West. He takes us from John Jacob Astor's fur trading outpost in Oregon to the Texas Revolution, from the California gold rush to the Oklahoma land rush. He shows how the migrants' dreams drove them to feats of courage and perseverance that put their stay-at-home cousins to shame-and how those same dreams also drove them to outrageous acts of violence against indigenous peoples and one another. The West was where riches would reward the miner's persistence, the cattleman's courage, the railroad man's enterprise; but El Dorado was at least as elusive in the West as it ever was in the East. Balanced, authoritative, and masterfully told, Dreams of El Dorado sets a new standard for histories of the American West.
RETURN TO THE LOST EL DORADO The Return to the Lost El Dorado is the sequel to The Lost El Dorado. It's now one year later. The Archaeologist from U.C. Berkeley, is onsite and exploring gold caves and tunnels which had been abandoned many centuries earlier. Some actually dive deep under the mighty Amazon River and may contain more gold than they imagined. Unfortunately, he is facing resistance from the local natives who are beginning to resent his presence and are growing more and more aggressive. He has also heard the rumblings deep in the caverns he has been exploring. Because he knows he is on borrowed time, he is rushing his explorations, risking a cave in and certain death due to the nearness of the river above his head. The Tribal leader's infant son, has come down with a rare disease that is fatal unless a medication is found and also a doctor who can deliver it on time. Because his condition is growing graver by the day, only the speedy PT boat can get them to the boy in time. The PT boat's skipper is a hardened warrior from both Vietnam and many years working on the dangerous Amazon. Normally he could deliver the doctor and the necessary medication without a problem. What he doesn't know is that a former enemy, heavily financed by a woman, also from his past is sending deadly people to not only stop him, but to also kill him. Their motivation? Not only the hoards of gold already in the village of golden buildings, but also the vast undiscovered gold they know is waiting for them once they get there and take over. There is a girl/woman/child, who is also out to stop the skipper for reasons of her own. She knows witchcraft, magic, voodoo and is said not to be of this earth. Before she is through, the skipper will know fear, even greater than he faced in Vietnam.
One of the world's most legendary and elusive treasures, sought after for centuries. . . An ancient mystery.A Lost Treasure.A Hidden City.An impossible location.An unimaginable adventure. Included in Aztec and Mayan legends, Conquistadors had heard rumors of its existence when exploring the New World, but never found it. During World War 2, Nazi inspired archaeologists were convinced they had pinpointed its location. They packed a U-Boat with supplies and set a course for the Amazon Jungle. They disappeared!Many adventurers eager to claim the legendary gold as their own entered one of the most inhospitable places on earth, the Amazon Jungle. Most were never seen again!And yet the exact location of El Dorado and its fantastic hoard of Mayan, Aztec and Inca treasure so many have dreamed of finding, remains a mystery. Any who may have stumbled upon it never returned to tell the tale. It was as if someone, or something, was protecting it... In 1925, Victorian explorer Colonel Percy Fawcett enters the Amazon Jungle to search for a Lost City. Like so many before him, he was never seen or heard from again. Until now!When a message from the past is discovered washed up on an English beach, it reveals new information about the ill-fated 1925 expedition. A modern day expedition sets off to follow in the footsteps of Colonel Fawcett in an attempt to locate the Lost City and its legendary hoard of priceless treasure. El Dorado Book 1 & 2 will take on a journey filled with danger to seek out and enter the fabled Lost City. A thrilling story of adventure and discovery that weaves together an exciting blend of fact and fiction linked to the legends surrounding El Dorado, the lost Fawcett expedition and the mysterious Amazonian Jungle. Rumored to be guarded by remote, mist-veiled mountains, the fabulous treasure hoard was hidden from the greedy clutches of Spanish conquistadors somewhere deep inside the unforgiving and mysterious Amazon jungle. As far as anyone knows, it is still there. Waiting to be discovered by those brave or foolhardy enough, to try their luck. Reviews "This is a terrific two book series set within the atmospherically described Amazon jungle. I could easily imagine myself tagging along with the adventurers." "If you like reading Clive Cussler, Matthew Reilly, James Rollins or Michael Crichton, you will enjoy this action adventure from Ben Hammott." " Has all the ingredients for an instant success: great plot, interesting characters, a large dose of mystery, impressive locations , unexpected twists and discoveries, deception and betrayal and even a touch of romance and a spattering of humor. This story will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Recommended for the permanent library of all action adventure readers." "The Mysterious and Dangerous Amazon Jungle, Subterranean Rooms, Tunnels, Pyramids, Ancient Aliens, Nazis, Traps, Thrilling Escapes, Chases, Strange Creatures, Dangerous Enemies, a Lost City and Great Characters, are just a few ingredients that make this exciting adventure thriller a must read for fans of this genre." (NY.Post.book.reviews) "From bestselling author Ben Hammott this action packed adventure takes you into the Amazon Jungle to follow in the footsteps of lost Victorian Explorer, Colonel Percy Fawcett. What we have here, in part, is an excellent dramatization of what may have happened to Fawcett and what he may have discovered in the unexplored regions of the Amazon. The well written plot is seldom predictable and some of the characters you think are safe, and will be alive by the time the book reaches its climax, are not. Sights and sounds of the Amazon are described well and help to set the atmospheric tone the explorers travel through. A thoroughly enjoyable adventure."An exciting archaeological mystery thriller with flashbacks to Colonel Fawcett's 1925 Expedition.
• 50 trail runs selected for the beauty of the scenery, the variety of the terrain, and the range of difficulty levels • Complete trail descriptions, highlights, directions, and color photos, maps, and elevation profiles • Quotes on each trail from local legends and professional runners Beginners and experienced trail runners alike will revel in the publication of this guide, which takes the guesswork out of choosing a trail to run along Colorado’s Front Range. Covering 50 trails from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, this book highlights the best running trails chosen for their singletrack terrain, spectacular views, challenging routes, and proximity to major population centers. Each trail write-up includes the essential information one needs to quickly find and enjoy a spectacular run: map, elevation profile, directions, trail description, and more.
"Ship Ahoy!" and "Bon Voyage!" Join the author as he takes you on a journey unlike any you may have imagined! See what the U.S. Navy's "boot camp" was really like! Feel the frustration and joy that comes with months of constant military training, or the fear that comes with wartime duties! Experience exotic ports of call as the author takes you to far corners of the planet-locations that most Americans can only imagine! See the world through the eyes of a sailor or perhaps just trigger lost memories from events in your own naval history. Let Beyond Aberdeen: A Bluejacket Diary tell you how a farm boy from Idaho gave up the life he knew for the promise of service, travel, and adventure as an electronics technician in the United States Navy! Watch as maturity, responsibility, and the legacy of a small town upbringing all work together to turn a boy into a man!
