Secrets of the Dead

Gr 9 Up—In 1925, an expedition led by celebrated explorer Col. Percy Fawcett disappeared in the Amazon while searching for a lost city, "Z." Long thought to be a myth similar to Atlantis, there is some archaeological evidence to support its existence. Present-day explorer Niall McCann begins his search for clues of Fawcett's fate and of Z, starting at the Royal Geographical Society in London and ending in the Amazon. This fascinating historical mystery boasts excellent production quality. Interviewees include Fawcett's family friends and relatives, the descendants of Fawcett's Amazonian guides and contacts, South American archaeologists, and Charles Mann (author of 1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus). This program will be of interest to classes studying South American history and exploration. A word of caution: the film describes Fawcett's interest in the Occult and how he viewed his quest to find Z as a way to unlock supernatural power.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY