The Lost City - Henry Shukman
A former soldier, invalided out of the army because of a horrific and traumatic incident, Jackson Small goes on a journey into the Peruvian jungle in search of a lost city of an ancient race. The reasons for his trip are however rather more complicated. As well as doing it out of personal interest in the culture, he feels he has to make the journey as a pilgrimage for a dead colleague. But when he is robbed of all his equipment, money and provisions early in the trip, he is forced to undertake an undercover military operation in the dangerous, lawless region ruled by a major drug baron. Along the way he meets many characters who propose other alternative ways of living. A young Peruvian boy latches onto him, accompanying him on his journey, and Jackson finds some sense of purpose in looking after the child. He meets and falls in love with a young American girl Sarah, who helps the young man overcome his shyness and the pain of his past. He meets a priest who dedicates himsel...