This was an absolutely stranger than fiction, shocking tale centered around the Galapagos Island of Floreana and what happened to its residents. I thought the writing was superb and this really read like your favorite fictional thriller.

It is a mystery with twists, turns, and parts that are never fully explained or solved. It begins with an oil mogul, Hancock, from LA and his crew of Smithsonian scientists traveling to the Galapagos islands and discovering two bodies mummified by the searing heat. For years before this discovery, Hancock and other American elites had traveled to the islands in search of exotic specimens for scientific research. On one of those trips, he discovered three groups of exotic European exiles who fled the political and economic unrest in their homelands in search of a utopian paradise. For me, the story was more about these exotic exiles than the mystery of how two people ended up dead. There aren't enough adjectives to describe these individuals, but suffice it to say that they were odd beyond imagination. Although I grew tired of the weird behaviors that resembled mental illness., I stuck with it until the end. I do like learning about history that I knew nothing about, and this odd history is one I won't soon forget. Abbott tells a story that is indeed stranger than fiction!

I really like books like this which illuminate a forgotten but fascinating part of our history. This book does just that with regard to the attempt at the creation of a utopia(a weird one-read the book) in a small island in the Galapagos. The people creating the uptopia are incredibly wierd(stranger than fiction really applies here) and what they do is almost unbelievable. Well written and fascinating this book is a winner. Read it - you won’t believe what youre reading actually happened and that the people populating this small island actually exsixted!

Bravo! A thoroughly engaging non-fiction account of murder in a utopian community on a remote island in Galapagos during WW II.

This reads like fiction, however as Abbott states in her Author’s Note, everything between quotation marks comes from an archive, diary, letter, newspaper article, book & unpublished manuscripts. The details & descriptions are spot on.

If you love history and want to learn the true life happenings of what becomes of the individuals searching for a utopian world of their own on the island of Galapagos, then you must read this novel. You will be intrigued & disgusted at the same time. These people were sociopathic, narcissistic, deceitful, cruel & greedy individuals. And oh the debauchery!

Favorite Lines:
“You never see the animal in man….And yet, there lies the root of every evil. It is the animal in us that torments us, and drives us from the path. That is the evil spirit which we must drive out, and it is all the more difficult because it appears so often in a charming mask.”

“ It could be so beautiful on earth…if humans weren’t animals.”

“Do you know that there may be moments in our relations with those we love, when we leave them to be nearer to them?”

Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing & Abbott Kahler for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This true life tale of German and Austrian eccentrics fleeing civilization to build a utopia on a Galápagos island would be compelling enough even without the murders. A fascinating story well told.

This book is an account of the homesteading of ultimately 10 people on an uninhabited island in the Galapagos, Floreana. The initial settlers, a German couple, Dr. Ritter and Dore Koerwin, his enamored disciple. Choosing a simpler life in order to emulate and live Nietzsche’s teaching, Dr. Ritter demonstrates his extreme eccentricities. Totally emotionally and physically abusive toward Dare, she chose to stay in order to support him. After achieving some notoriety from wealthy capitalists, they are joined by a seemingly simple and normal German family of three, soon to be four, the Wittmers. Soon they are also joined by an evil megalomaniac, the Baroness and her two lovers and a laborer, who plans to open a hotel. I found Kahler’s depiction of this despicable woman very one-sided that I callously rooted for her ultimate demise. The book was interesting and well researched and I can see how it would be a good television series. Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

'It could be so beautiful on earth, if humans weren't animals'.

The Great War had ended but the feeling of discontent still existed for many. In Germany, war reparations were crippling the economy and Hitler was beginning to garner support. Friedrich, a doctor, and his acolyte Dore, decide 'civilisation' isn't something they want to be a part of. The dream to create a utopia, supported by their own, unique, philosophies is realised when they move to Floreana. An island, some purport as cursed, in the Galapagos, 'The islands lie just about as Vulcan cast them down, or perhaps it was Lucifer who heaved them out'. Despite living off-grid and off-line, word of these real-life castaways spreads, 'We had become objects of sensational publicity.' Soon another couple and their son join them. Feathers are ruffled but island life carries on - albeit with a slight tension in the air. It isn't until the Baroness and her minions arrive, after convincing the local government of their intent to build a luxury hotel, that a match is finally struck to, 'the intense, claustrophobic cauldron of a remote island'. Fair to say, the utopian dream is blown sky-high and, ironically, it becomes an experiment of Darwin's survival of the fittest.

'Survivor' has nothing on this true story. Kahler does an awesome job of providing contextual tidbits without distracting the reader or detracting from the core story. Although this story is as readable, and captivating as fiction, the provision of extensive endnotes assures the reader that it is indeed non-fiction.

If you love stories of adventure or psychological thrillers (fiction or non), be assured you'll love this.

There was so much buzz about this book and I was disappointed. I didn't like any of the characters...they certainly each believed in their way of surviving the place and situation, to their detriment. All unusual individuals, not any really team players, which made the situation even more complex, what with limited resources, lack of transport, communication with the outside world, etc. I was disappointed that I didn't learn more about the things that so entice so many to the Galapagos...unique plant and animal life!

In Eden Undone, Abbot Kahler probes the universal desire (and inevitable failure) of humans’ drive to seek utopia. This “stranger than fiction” true story takes place during the late 1920s and early 1930s when a small group of European refugees fled political and economic unrest hoping to create a paradise in Floreana, one of the Galapagos Islands. There were three separate groups: Germans Dr. Friedrich Ritter and his lover Dore Strauch Koervien and the Wittmer family (Heinz, Margret, Harry and later Rolf); and Austrian Baroness Von Wagner Bosquet and her two lovers Robert Phillipson and Rudolf Lorenz.

Whereas the first two groups sought primarily to be left alone (and were civil to each other), the Baroness’ stated intention was to build a luxury hotel on the island. There were many sources of tension between groups and within groups (except for the Wittmer family). Ultimately these conflicts along with the privations inherent in living in near isolation led to two exiles going missing (the Baroness and Robert Philipson) and two deaths (Rudolf Lorenz and Freidrich Ritter). According to his partner Dore, Ritter died as a result of food poisoning after eating poorly preserved chicken. Despite her first hand observations, there were many theories and multiple accounts that sought to explain not oonly Ritter’s death but also the death of Lorenz and two disappearances.

Enter George Allan Hancock, owner of Rancho La Brea Oil Company in Los Angeles, Smithsonian affiliate and accomplished yachtsman. Hancock had mounted several expeditions to the Galapagos and provided supplies for the settlers on multiple occasions. On his third visit in January of 1934, he produced the silent film “The Empress of Floreana,” featuring the Baroness. This film was used to publicize Floreana and the Galapagos, receiving full support from the Ecuadoran government which had sovereignty over the islands at the time. When two mummified bodies were found on nearby Marchena Island in November 1934, Hancock was sent to investigate the deaths. Although Kahler does not make this clear, Hancock concluded that the bodies were those of Rudolf Lorenz and the Norwegian fisherman he hired to take him off the island. The disappearance of the Baroness and Robert Phillipson remains unsolved.

There were many contemporaneous stories published across the world, telling of the mysterious Baroness and the feuds between the three camps of settlers. Some were written by Hancock himself. Kahler clearly mined these articles for details and descriptive content. In addition, there are records from the George Allan Hancock Foundation (at the USC library) and in the Smithsonian archives. Finally, the unsolved cases were made into a film in 2013: “The Galapagos Affair: Satan Comes to Eden.” It was co-produced by the United States, Ecuador, Germany and Norway. The film features Hancock’s silent film from 1934: “The Empress of Floreana.”

Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishers for the ARC in exchange for this review.
In Eden Undone, Abbot Kahler probes the universal desire (and inevitable failure) of humans’ drive to seek utopia. This “stranger than fiction” true story takes place during the late 1920s and early 1930s when a small group of European refugees fled political and economic unrest hoping to create a paradise in Floreana, one of the Galapagos Islands. There were three separate groups: Germans Dr. Friedrich Ritter and his lover Dore Strauch Koervien and the Wittmer family (Heinz, Margret, Harry and later Rolf); and Austrian Baroness Von Wagner Bosquet and her two lovers Robert Phillipson and Rudolf Lorenz.

Whereas the first two groups sought primarily to be left alone (and were civil to each other), the Baroness’ stated intention was to build a luxury hotel on the island. There were many sources of tension between groups and within groups (except for the Wittmer family). Ultimately these conflicts along with the privations inherent in living in near isolation led to two exiles going missing (the Baroness and Robert Philipson) and two deaths (Rudolf Lorenz and Freidrich Ritter). According to his partner Dore, Ritter died as a result of food poisoning after eating poorly preserved chicken. Despite her first hand observations, there were many theories and multiple accounts that sought to explain not oonly Ritter’s death but also the death of Lorenz and two disappearances.

Enter George Allan Hancock, owner of Rancho La Brea Oil Company in Los Angeles, Smithsonian affiliate and accomplished yachtsman. Hancock had mounted several expeditions to the Galapagos and provided supplies for the settlers on multiple occasions. On his third visit in January of 1934, he produced the silent film “The Empress of Floreana,” featuring the Baroness. This film was used to publicize Floreana and the Galapagos, receiving full support from the Ecuadoran government which had sovereignty over the islands at the time. When two mummified bodies were found on nearby Marchena Island in November 1934, Hancock was sent to investigate the deaths. Although Kahler does not make this clear, Hancock concluded that the bodies were those of Rudolf Lorenz and the Norwegian fisherman he hired to take him off the island. The disappearance of the Baroness and Robert Phillipson remains unsolved.

There were many contemporaneous stories published across the world, telling of the mysterious Baroness and the feuds between the three camps of settlers. Some were written by Hancock himself. Kahler clearly mined these articles for details and descriptive content. In addition, there are records from the George Allan Hancock Foundation (at the USC library) and in the Smithsonian archives. Finally, the unsolved cases were made into a film in 2013: “The Galapagos Affair: Satan Comes to Eden.” It was co-produced by the United States, Ecuador, Germany and Norway. The film features Hancock’s silent film from 1934: “The Empress of Floreana.”

Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishers for the ARC in exchange for this review.

As the cloud of WWII rises over Europe, three sets of exiles arrive separately, and seeking different ends, at an uninhabited and partially uninhabitable island in the Galapagos. Their lives intersect with each other and the variety of outsiders - fisherman, scientists and international millionaires – who occasionally stop by. Their story which is full of Intrigue, violence, sex and the struggle to create a utopia reads like a compelling crime novel but is, in fact, well researched nonfiction about a little corner of almost unknown but fascinating history.

An interesting story with larger than life characters on the stage of the Galapagos. Kahler did a nice job of researching and choosing historical details that made the people real and interesting. The different versions of what happened are well handled and add to both the reality and tension of the book. Eden Undone deepened my understanding of a historical period and the impact of individual beliefs and stories on our perceptions of the world today.

This was bonkers but interesting I had seen a documentary about it and it just goes to prove no place is a utopia no matter how much you want it to be . It was a good read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

This was a strange story of a couple wanting to get away from the world by moving to the Galápagos on an uninhabited island called Floreana aka Charles Island. When two other groups eventually move there too, problems abound, spoiling their imagined utopia. Deftly told by the author as the mysteries play out.

This book (and everyone in it) is BONKERS. Abbott Kahler is one of my favorites and her newest book, Eden Undone, does not disappoint.

There is one major problem, though. I don't want to ruin this for you. I went in almost completely blind about the story. I think it's the best way to approach this. Here is what you need to know. Various people decide to try and create isolated lives with their significant others on a deserted Galapagos island. In order not to spoil anything specific, but to also explain just how bonkers the story is, I'd like to provide a list. The following things are in this book:

1. Spouse swapping
2. Hitler
3. Volcanic eruptions
4. Murderous cows
5. Actual murder....maybe?
6. Drownings
7. Shipwrecks
8. Nudity. So much nudity.
9. Sex, duh.
10. Bad philosophy

That's not even all of it. A story like this in the hands of a pro like Kahler is a guaranteed page turner. I shall say no more. I want you to end up on the edge of your seat like I was.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Crown Publishing.)

This book is very detailed. There was a lot of writings, from diaries to journal articles, to letters written to others to document the island life of the inhabitants.
The author does a great job on timeline and some of the reasons why people went missing or were murdered.

For me, it was a long build up, then BOOM! Two people are missing. Were they murdered? Did they leave? Who knows, the author then rushed to the next person.
Two bodies on the shore line, one was from the Eden, what happened to him? Authorities may have believed that it was thirst. He died from not having water.
Then the final mystery.....did the original inhabitant die from murder or food poisoning? Again, who knows?

The build up while it talked about the build up of insanity on the Baroness and her entourage, I was left with wanting more. The Baroness just stole items from the other settlers and there was no retaliation?

Then the mysterious deaths occur, no one bats an eye?!
it appeared to me that the author was done, ok here is the people, here is the mystery, the reader should be able to figure it out.
Then the end.

Overall, it was detailed, but the ending so abrupt I had to wonder what the author was leaving out.