Wanderings in Patagonia

Wanderings in Patagonia is an account of Julius Beerbohm's expedition to Patagonia in 1877. He vividly describes the natural history and geography of the country which he labelled "the last of nature's works." Beerbohm travels across deserts and through jungles with the native Indians, the people Ferdinand Magellan came upon in 1520 when he discovered the country. Magellan and his crew described seeing giants nine feet tall, with huge feet. Beerbohm details a trek through this notoriously hostile terrain and overcomes snowstorms and mutiny, survives a flood and encounters "ostrich" hunters, puma, and swans. Littered with literary quotes and historical references and parallels, this book is written in an engaging style and brings to life this little-known part of South America.