The River of Doubt - Candice Millard

The River of Doubt

By Candice Millard

  • Release Date: 2005-10-18
  • Genre: History
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 648 Ratings

Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait—the bestselling author of River of the Gods brings us the true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth.

“A rich, dramatic tale that ranges from the personal to the literally earth-shaking.” —The New York Times

The River of Doubt—it is a black, uncharted tributary of the Amazon that snakes through one of the most treacherous jungles in the world. Indians armed with poison-tipped arrows haunt its shadows; piranhas glide through its waters; boulder-strewn rapids turn the river into a roiling cauldron.

After his humiliating election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt set his sights on the most punishing physical challenge he could find, the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon. Together with his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, Roosevelt accomplished a feat so great that many at the time refused to believe it. In the process, he changed the map of the western hemisphere forever.

Along the way, Roosevelt and his men faced an unbelievable series of hardships, losing their canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, and enduring starvation, Indian attack, disease, drowning, and a murder within their own ranks. Three men died, and Roosevelt was brought to the brink of suicide. The River of Doubt brings alive these extraordinary events in a powerful nonfiction narrative thriller that happens to feature one of the most famous Americans who ever lived.

From the soaring beauty of the Amazon rain forest to the darkest night of Theodore Roosevelt’s life, here is Candice Millard’s dazzling debut.

Look for Candice Millard’s latest book, River of the Gods.

Reviews

  • A history that reads like an adventure tale!

    5
    By Gary Manko
    Certainly! The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard is an enthralling nonfiction narrative that delves into the harrowing exploration of one of the most treacherous rivers on Earth. Here’s a review of this gripping adventure: At the heart of this captivating tale is Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. After suffering a humiliating election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt sought redemption through an audacious physical challenge: the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon known as the River of Doubt. This black, uncharted river winds through the dense jungles of Brazil, where Indians armed with poison-tipped arrows lurk in the shadows, piranhas glide through its waters, and boulder-strewn rapids transform it into a roiling cauldron. Accompanied by his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, Roosevelt embarked on an expedition that would alter the map of the western hemisphere forever. Their journey was nothing short of extraordinary, fraught with unimaginable hardships: losing canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, enduring starvation, Indian attacks, disease, drowning, and even a murder within their own ranks. Three men lost their lives, and Roosevelt himself was brought to the brink of suicide. Candice Millard weaves this gripping account with meticulous research, vivid descriptions, and a keen eye for detail. The reader is transported from the soaring beauty of the Amazon rainforest to the darkest moments of Roosevelt’s life. The narrative reads like fiction, drawing readers in with its intensity and suspense. While primarily a biographical portrait of Roosevelt, the book rarely delves into politics, making it a refreshing departure from typical presidential biographies. In summary, The River of Doubt is an incredible adventure story that brings to life the courage, determination, and resilience of one of the most famous Americans who ever lived. Millard’s debut work is a powerful tribute to Roosevelt’s indomitable spirit and the unforgiving wilderness that tested it. If you’re seeking a thrilling blend of history, adventure, and biography, I highly recommend diving into the depths of The River of Doubt.
  • Worth your time

    5
    By dlave518
    Very engaging
  • Engaging and very well written

    5
    By PracticalMusic@Home
    Millard’s account of Roosevelt’s expedition is engaging and a very fast read. Her writing layers the chronology of the expedition with historical details and character development. Highly recommend this book.
  • Dramatic!

    4
    By CoCo day
    Reading about Roosevelt in his adventures is a must and River of Doubt demonstrates his ease with perilous adventiur and with people of all kind. What an amazing piece of American and world history.
  • They don't make men like that anymore!

    5
    By salvino4444
    Great story of amazing adventurers. Well told and almost hard to believe struggles to accomplish goals and even survive.
  • River of Doubts

    5
    By Stealth 851
    An incredible expedition occurring in one of the most inhospitable jungles of the world by a fearless legend who by that time had achieved significant political successes. Instead of being content with writing his memoirs, he undertook what most would consider an impossible human endeavor.
  • Great!

    5
    By Geogeek82
    Great storytelling about an amazing journey. Wow!
  • Excellent!

    5
    By ohayktmom
    I may not agree with President Roosevelt's politics but what an extraordinary man!
  • Great book!

    4
    By Lmantesso
    It is really a great story of adventure in one of the most remote regions of the world at the time.