“I was fascinated by what life must be like for a single man to be completely isolated from the rest of the world.” Said Monte Reel, author of “The Last of the Tribe: The Epic Quest to Save a Lone Man in the Amazon” at a speaking engagement and book signing at 7 p.m., Sep. 10 in the Sunnen Lounge.
Reel’s book is an in-depth look at the struggle to protect the last surviving man of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon. Reel explained the political and social issues concerning Brazil’s increased development of the Amazon rainforest.
“The Last of the Tribe” is the 2012-13 Year of International Human Rights required reading for Webster University’s freshman seminar classes.
“I had no idea that Brazil had indigenous tribes, the book sparked an interest in a topic I knew little about,” said Olivia Heibeck, a Webster student who is currently taking the freshman seminar class Facing Family Transitions.
More than 50 people gathered for the seminar and Reel opened the floor for questions after his talk. Students and faculty asked many questions and showed increased curiosity about the indigenous tribes of Brazil, what role the Brazilian government plays in the tribesmen’s lives, rainforest protection, and the possible spiritual aspect of the lone tribesman.
“What we know of religious and ecological studies pushes me to believe that there is a lot being missed to truly understanding their worlds of meaning,” said Chris Parr, PH.D and Professor of Religious studies.
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