DEEP in the Amazon forest the mission was to find the lost city of Z.

Torquay-born Percy Harrison Fawcett is perhaps one of the most enigmatic British explorers of modern times.

And now New York journalist David Grann, in his book The Lost City of Z, has chronicled Fawcett's adventurous life, retracing his gruelling times in the unforgiving Brazilian rainforest.

Confronted by poisoned arrows, deadly snakes and blood-sucking insects of every description, the reader's attention is instantly engaged.

Fawcett, born in 1867, was a mysterious man. He was revered by many who met him as 'one of the best of his class that ever lived'.

This fact is reinforced by the fictional film superhero Indiana Jones who was based on him.

Fawcett embarked on a journey which 'captured the imagination of every child who ever dreamed of undiscovered lands', as one newspaper wrote.

His mission was to find the lost city of El Dorado — or Z as Fawcett insisted on calling it.

This City of Gold captivated thousands of people for more than 400 years and many men perished in the all-consuming jungle in search of the elusive city.

A fellow explorer Carvajal wrote: "We reached a state of privation so great we were eating nothing but leather, belts and soles of shoes."

Many explorers, depleted and utterly broken by the 'green hell', even resorted to suicide for fear they would either be clubbed to death by savages or eaten alive by flesh-eating insects.

In April 1925, after returning from a previously failed mission to find the city, Fawcett, together with his son Jack and friend Raleigh, embarked on a last-ditch effort to succeed where hundreds had previously failed.

They were never heard of again.

It was at this point that the allure of the golden city transcended into a burning desire to find the missing Fawcett.

Over the years many rescue efforts have tried in vain to locate him, including Grann who insists: "Let me be clear: I am not an explorer or an adventurer. I don't climb mountains or hunt. I don't even like to camp."

Grann, along with many before him, became utterly obsessed by the story, and, before long, kissed his wife and son goodbye to feed his obsession.

What follows is an astonishing discovery to conclude this epic tale of adventure, obsession and death.

WE are running a competition to win a free copy of The Lost City of Z, which has been donated by Waterstones in Torquay.

For your chance to win, simply answer the following question: What was the name of Fawcett's son?

a) Raleigh

b) Jack

c) George?

Send your entries to Paul James, Books Editor, Herald Express, Barton Hill Road, Torquay. TQ2 8JN by the closing date of March 7 2009.

Herald Express terms and conditions apply which can be seen in the classified section.