‘This
impeccable chronicle… is packed with fascinating information
and, like all John Hemming’s massive books, it is written
in such a light, literate and fluent style that it reads like
a novel… Perhaps surprising in such a learned, comprehensive
and weighty tome is the wealth of adventure stories it contains.’
(Robin Hanbury-Tenison, Literary Review)
‘John
Hemming’s comprehensive command of the relevant historical
and anthropological sources… is breathtaking. He is
able to present analyses of politics and history, the anthropological
details of tribal life, and the minutiae of contact and its
aftermath, in a way that is at once accurate and authoritative
for an expert, and accessible and highly readable for a lay
reader. In three monumental volumes, he has produced…
the essential reference work on the history of Brazilian indigenous
peoples.’ (Stephen Hugh-Jones, Times Literary
Supplement)
‘Die
If You Must is a masterpiece of non-fiction and will, without
doubt, be classed as the definitive work on Brazil’s
indigenous peoples. It should be required reading for every
red-blooded adventurer.’ (Christopher Ondaatje,
Geographical)
‘One
of the most harrowing yet heartwarming books I have read in
a long time… As a record of mankind’s struggle
with mankind for the occupation of the planet it is titanic,
fought out under the dripping canopy of the great Amazon forest.
Yet its conclusion is one of hope.’ (Simon Jenkins,
The Times)
‘From
the dense detail of Hemming’s history emerges, quite
unexpectedly… a strangely optimistic lesson… A
magnificent book…’ (Andro Linklater, The
Spectator)
