Through the Brazilian Wilderness

A former U.S. president steps away from the political arena and into the dense, uncharted heart of South America. Inspired by a longtime friend and a series of lectures abroad, he resolves to follow the Paraguay River northward, turning a post‑presidential itinerary into a scientific quest. His ambition is to catalogue wildlife and sketch the geography of a region that few outsiders have ever surveyed.

Joined by two seasoned naturalists recruited from the American Museum of Natural History, the party sets out with the backing of the Brazilian government. Together they pursue birds and mammals while navigating tangled rivers, remote villages, and the imposing Amazonian rainforest. The early days of the trek reveal a world of startling beauty and formidable obstacles, offering listeners a vivid portrait of exploration driven by curiosity and camaraderie.