Pamela Bloom's passion for the Amazon sparkles on every page of this book. Her in-depth knowledge and understanding of Amazonia - terrain, peoples, culture - makes this a book you won't browse through. You'll read it thoroughly, keep it with you on your journey and refer to it constantly.

Beginning with the Should I Go To The Amazon quiz, the chapters sweep you along like the current of the river itself. The subtitle The Passionate Adventurer's Guide to the Brazilian Amazon & the Pantanal is not a misnomer.

The opening section deals with Amazonia itself, and discusses facts and legends, the indigenous tribes and their customs, plus interviews or excerpts from experts in fauna and flora, shamanism, and a view to tribal future. A description of the rain forest, including the three types: floodplain or vázea which is regularly flooded by the rivers; igapós which is flooded occasionally; and terra firme, which is generally higher ground and not flooded. Ms. Bloom adds a few words on the subject of rainforest preservation and its global importance, clarifying the situation so that all can understand it clearly.

Fly fishermen will enjoy the details and lore she provides along with the culture and cuisine. The descriptions of food and drink are particularly interesting, and demonstrate the variety of fish, fruit and vegetables of Amazonia.

The main cities of Amazonia - Belém, Santarém, Manaus and Alta Floresta - have their own sections. In each, Ms Bloom provides a brief history, descriptions and recommendations for things to do and see, places to stay and eat, plus hands-on descriptions of the area, excursions and shopping. Her descriptions of flora and fauna are excellent.

The middle section of the book is devoted to the Pantanal, and covers the same type information for Cuiabé and Chapada dos Guimarães. She describes the Pantanal, the rains that flood it during the rainy season (October to March) turning it into an "inland sea", and then the dry period five months later that turns the area into a grassy plain supporting huge numbers of wildlife. As Ms. Bloom puts it; "Simply, what the Amazon is to flora, the Pantanal is to fauna. If you want to see Brazilian wildlife at its most exotic, come to the Pantanal."

The latter portion of the book is entitled "Contacts and More" and is just that. The author lists specialty tour operators and cruises with specific recommendations and guides. She lists books, films and music which will give you the sense of being there, and provides and excellent health kit for the tropics. The kit includes descriptions of illnesses, immunizations, treatment and cautionary info. There is contact information for Rainforest Support Groups, online sites, and a glossary of useful words and phrases.

Throughout the book, Ms Bloom has sprinkled Up Close Tips and Travel Alerts, from dealing with mosquitos to travel to Indian reserves to over-friendly locals.

It won't take you long to see why Amazon Up Close is the winner of the Lowell Travel Journalism Best Guidebook division.