The North-West Amazons: Notes of some months spent among cannibal tribes

"The North-West Amazons: Notes of some months spent among cannibal tribes" by Thomas Whiffen is a recollection of the author's time investigating areas near the Amazon River at the start of the 1900s. Readers are given a window into the cultures of cannibal tribes in the lush rainforests as Whiffen tells of his experiences with them. The pages recount his observations of their traditions, everyday activities, and relationship with the environment. To begin the story, Whiffen tells of his reasons for starting the journey. He had been unemployed due to poor health. After thinking back on prior travels and the inspiration he received from Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace's writings, he made the decision to explore the Amazon. He quickly becomes aware of the challenges of entering the interior after arriving in Manaos. Also, he struggles to assemble a reliable team. As the story progresses, he goes into great detail about the challenges of traversing the jungle, river systems, and interactions with local tribes. The first section creates the environment for an engrossing investigation of the Amazonian wilderness. It also introduces the native people who dwell there, highlighting the attraction and difficulties of his trip.