Who was the legendary 'Jungle Rudy'? Why did he leave his wealthy family in the Netherlands and set up home deep within the Venezuelan jungle, one of the most inhospitable environments known to man? Jan Brokken follows literally in the footsteps of 20th century adventurer Rudy Truffino: a man who dedicated his life to mapping the 'lost world' that is the rainforest of the Orinocco.
Rudy performed feats most of us would never dream of: flying planes around the canyons of the Gran Sabana, leading expeditions to Angel Falls, fighting off the pumas, snakes and scorpions which invade his camp and introducing locals to the delights of opera in his spare time. However, the real star of the book is the jungle: the unique landscape of mountains, rivers, plains and forests that immerses the reader from the outset. Brokken's account of the discovery of the area - by pioneer pilots, who mostly ended up crashing into its depths - and the subsequent change and development, makes fascinating reading. Part-thriller, part-adventure story, part-biography, and throughout a homage to the natural world, the jungle is here in all its glory and Rudy is the ultimate guide.