The Way Around

Story of David Good, son of American anthropologist and Amazon tribeswoman. Born in Venezuela, the family moved to the US when David was young. His mother lived with them for several years but on a visit back to her tribe, she decided not to return to the US. I found it incredible that a woman who did not even wear clothes and spoke an indigenous language had the courage to leave her people when she did. These people live so isolated that they have no concept of any type of environment but the jungle. They are nomadic people who live outdoors and forage for food. David's father did not display emotions or discuss family matters so all David knew was that his mother had abandoned him. The book is his troubling story leading up to about age 25 when he decides to find his mother in 2011. He lives with her for a couple of months and they bond. Then he returns to the real world but feels pulled back to “his people” (the Yanomami). As the book ends, he has visited once more and set up a non-profit to shed light on the world's population. Hard to believe (but it's true) story. Enjoyed the style and wit of the writing.