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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold Hardback - 2024

by Keith Thomson

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Reader reviews for Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

From the publisher

This eye-opening book tells the true story of an obsessive quest to find El Dorado, set against the backdrop of Elizabethan political intrigue and a competition with Spanish conquistadors for the legendary city's treasure.

"[A] breezy tale starring an audacious hero." --Wall Street Journal

As early as 1530, reports of El Dorado, a city of gold in the South American interior, beckoned to European explorers. Whether there was any truth to the stories remained to be seen, but the allure of unimaginable riches was enough to ensnare dozens of would-be heroes and glory hounds in the desperate hunt. Among them was Sir Walter Raleigh: ambitious courtier, confidant to Queen Elizabeth, and, before long, El Dorado fanatic.

Entering the Elizabethan court as an upstart from a family whose days of nobility were far behind them, Raleigh used his military acumen, good looks, and sheer audacity to scramble into the limelight. Yet that same swagger proved to be his undoing, as his secret marriage to a lady-in-waiting enraged Queen Elizabeth and landed him in the Tower of London. Between his ensuing grim prospects at court and his underlying lust for adventure, the legend of El Dorado became an unwavering siren song that hypnotized Raleigh.

On securing his release, he journeyed across an ocean to find the fabled city, gambling his painstakingly acquired wealth, hard-won domestic bliss, and his very life. What awaited him in the so-called New World were endless miles of hot, dense jungle packed with deadly flora and fauna, warring Spanish conquistadors and Indigenous civilizations, and other unforeseen dangers. Meanwhile, back at home, his multitude of rivals plotted his demise.

Paradise of the Damned, like Keith Thomson's critically acclaimed Born to Be Hanged, brings this story to life in lush and captivating detail. The book charts Raleigh's obsessive search for El Dorado--as well as the many doomed expeditions that preceded and accompanied his--providing not only an invaluable history but also a gripping narrative of traveling to the ends of the earth only to realize, too late, that what lies at home is the greatest treasure of all.

Details

  • Title Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold
  • Author Keith Thomson
  • Binding Hardback
  • Pages 400
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Little Brown and Company
  • Publication date 2024-05-21
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Maps
  • ISBN 9780316497008 / 0316497002
  • Weight 1.35 lbs (0.61 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 in (23.62 x 15.75 x 3.81 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 16th Century
    • Cultural Region: British
    • Cultural Region: Mexican
  • Category Biography / Autobiography
  • Library of Congress subjects Great Britain - Court and courtiers, Raleigh, Walter
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2024933209
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

Citations

  • Booklist, 04/01/2024, Page 13
  • Kirkus Reviews, 03/01/2024, Page 0
  • Library Journal Prepub Alert, 12/01/2023, Page 17
  • Publishers Weekly, 03/11/2024, Page 0

About the author

Keith Thomson is the author of the nonfiction book Born to Be Hanged, as well as several novels, including Pirates of Pensacola and the New York Times bestseller Once a Spy. The former Columbia history major also writes nonfiction for the New York Times, Garden & Gun, and the Huffington Post on a range of topics, including national security and piracy. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of...
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

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  • Hardback
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Little Brown and Company, 2024. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

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  • Hardback
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Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316497008 / 0316497002
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Little Brown and Company, 2024. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of...
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Hardback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316497008 / 0316497002
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Little Brown and Company, 2024. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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A$9.76
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of...
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316497008 / 0316497002
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$9.76
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Little Brown and Company, 2024. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Item price
A$9.76
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of...
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

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  • Very good
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Very good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

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  • Hardback
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Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316497008 / 0316497002
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Paradise of the Damned: The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for El Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

  • Used
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  • Hardback
Condition
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Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316497008 / 0316497002
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Paradise of the Damned : The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for el Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316497008 / 0316497002
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Little Brown & Company. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Paradise of the Damned : The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for el Dorado, the Legendary City...
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Paradise of the Damned : The True Story of an Obsessive Quest for el Dorado, the Legendary City of Gold

by Thomson, Keith

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316497008 / 0316497002
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$17.27
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Little Brown & Company. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Item price
A$17.27
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