This work investigates the brutal murder of Brazilian rubber tapper and activist Chico Mendes to uncover the broader, violent struggle for the preservation of the Amazon rain forest. Andrew Revkin, a veteran environmental journalist, utilizes extensive on-the-ground reporting and interviews with key stakeholders to reconstruct the events leading to Mendes's death. The book presents a detailed examination of the clash between traditional forest-dwelling communities and the powerful economic interests driving deforestation in the late 20th century.

The text provides a dense, meticulously researched account that serves as a foundational document for understanding the intersection of human rights and environmental conservation in the Amazon. Its clinical focus on the geopolitical and economic pressures of the era makes it a significant resource for students of environmental history and investigative journalism.