Valverde's Gold: The Royal Geographical Society Llanganati Papers
Richard Spruce Esq. [1817-1893] English - Famous Victorian Era Botanist Jordan H. Stabler [1885-1938] American Career Diplomat Colonel E. C. Brooks [1860-1922] American - West Point Class of 1886 Steven J. Charbonneau - A Vermont native raised in the resort town of Stowe, Mr. Charbonneau traveled to Ecuador at twenty-three to visit a childhood friend serving in Ecuador with the U.S. Peace Corps.  Mr. Charbonneau fell in love with a young Ecuadorian woman in Quito and married. The couple’s wedding reception was thrown by General Gribaldo Miño, Commander of the Ecuadorian Army. Little did Mr. Charbonneau know that destiny would forever tie him to this mysterious land and its people! Nearly a decade would pass, during which time General Miño had advanced to Chief of the Armed Forces Joint Command, the third most powerful position in Ecuador, subordinate only to the Minister of Defense and the President of the Republic. Mr. Charbonneau’s mother-in-law’s life had also recently changed by her marriage to Eugen K. Brunner (adventurer, explorer and spy) world renowned expert on Ecuador’s lost treasures. Destiny ultimately drew Mr. Charbonneau back to Ecuador and involved him within a story of international intrigue, espionage, murder, kidnapping, embezzlement, deceit, discovery and untold secrets! No stranger to the US Embassy in Quito, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense, Presidential Palace, and Institute of Patrimony and Culture, Mr. Charbonneau furthered his father-in-law’s research, translated, and published Brunner’s exclusive writings, drawings and discoveries that related to the Llanganati Treasure deposit in an extensive tell-all book; Lust for Inca Gold: The Llanganati Treasure Story & Maps (2012). This book was followed by an updated version; Lust for Inca Gold: Second Edition (2013). Arguably a leading expert on the topic, Mr. Charbonneau’s personal connection and involvement with his stories allows him, through mere prose, to take seemingly unrelated events and draw back the veil of mere coincidence, thereby connecting the unconnected! His characters, both good and bad, are presented in a “matter of fact” style which reminds the reader that the events he relates are fact, not fiction. Mr. Charbonneau’s extensive research has rewritten history, uncovered new information and revived interest in a centuries old treasure quest! Mr. Charbonneau hails from Vermont and Nevada, was married for nearly thirty years and is the proud parent of five.