Cannibal Adventure

Teenage brothers Hal and Roger Hunt embark on an expedition to New Guinea to collect rare animals for their father's wildlife collection. Their mission takes them deep into remote territories where headhunters and cannibals still maintain traditional ways of life. The brothers face challenges from both the dangerous wildlife they seek to capture and the human threats they encounter. Their quest to find exotic creatures like Komodo dragons and dinosaur lizards becomes complicated when they learn a vengeful enemy is tracking their movements. The novel brings 1970s New Guinea to life through vivid descriptions of its landscapes, wildlife, and indigenous cultures. While reflecting some dated perspectives of its era, the book maintains respect for the traditional peoples it portrays while delivering high-stakes adventure. This fast-paced story explores themes of brotherhood, courage, and respect for indigenous cultures, while raising questions about wildlife conservation and the clash between modern and traditional worlds.

Readers remember this book as a thrilling adventure story that captured their imagination as children. Many mention returning to re-read it as adults. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced action scenes - Educational details about New Guinea cultures and wildlife - The brotherly relationship between Hal and Roger - Scientific accuracy in describing animals and environments Common criticisms: - Dated colonial attitudes and stereotypes - Some scenes too intense for younger readers - Scientific terminology can be complex for the target age group Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (237 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (28 ratings) Reader quotes: "The adventure scenes kept me on the edge of my seat" - Goodreads reviewer "Looking back, some parts are problematic, but the wildlife facts are solid" - Amazon reviewer "My 10-year-old loves the danger and excitement but learns real science too" - Amazon reviewer

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🌿 New Guinea is home to over 800 indigenous languages, making it the most linguistically diverse place on Earth. 🦎 Komodo dragons, featured in the book, are the world's largest lizards and can grow up to 10 feet long, with a bite containing deadly bacteria. ✍️ Willard Price wrote 14 "Adventure" series books between 1949-1980, conducting extensive research trips to ensure accuracy in his wildlife descriptions. 🏝️ The first Western contact with New Guinea was in 1526 by Portuguese explorer Jorge de Menezes, who named it "Islands of the Papuas." 📚 Price originally worked as a foreign correspondent for newspapers, using his travel experiences to create authentic settings for his adventure novels.