Valverde's Gold: A True Tale of Greed, Obsession and Grit.

A fascinating and exciting adventure into the shady world of the treasure hunter. As a ransom for his King, a Incan general leaves a hoard of gold for the Spanish Conquistador Pizzaro. In mysterious circumstances the gold disappeared leaving only its legend, and a map, behind. In Valverde's Gold Mark Honigsbaum attempts to unravel a myth that has obsessed men for centuries and has led to many fruitless and fatal treasure hunts. Undeterred by this, and armed with a Victorian botanist's map, Honigsbaum embarks on an epic journey into the dark heart of South America. This is the story of how gold can intoxicate even the most mild mannered of historians, about how characters - both real and fictional - become seized with the desire to claim lost treasure from even the most inhospitable areas of the world. On his quest he meets a bizarre array of treasure hunters, profiteers and traffickers, all with an unquenchable thirst for the hoard that has eluded man for centuries. Battling through the mountains and jungles, Mark Honigsbaum brings us closer to understanding the allure of the treasure hunt, as he gets closer to the hidden gold. Rich in description, atmosphere and adventure, Valverde's Gold is an unforgettable journey into greed, obsession and legend, and a must for anyone who has dreamed of being Indiana Jones.

Mark Honigsbaum is a journalist, writer and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Formerly Chief Reporter of the Observer, he has contributed articles for most British national newspapers and has made several documentaries for television. When he isn't travelling in South America he lives in London with his wife and two children