The River of Doubt

Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

By: Candice Millard

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, The River of Doubt is the true story of Theodore Roosevelt's harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth.

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, Candido 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.

©2005 Candice Miller (P)2005 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Millard...nails the suspense element of this story perfectly, but equally important to her success is the marvelous amount of detail she provides on the wildlife that Roosevelt and his fellow explorers encountered on their journey, as well as the cannibalistic indigenous tribe that stalked them much of the way." (Publishers Weekly)

An Incredible Story About an Incredible Man

What did you love best about The River of Doubt?

From beginning to end it grabbed your attention. It was well documented, yet had a narrative that was compelling and character driven. If you can put aside that it is about a famous Roosevelt adventure this would be one of the most dramatic stories you can imagine. Cultural and economic implications that can still be felt today. Now interject one of our most famous presidents into the story and well...you have to read it to believe it. I have listened to about 150 books on Audible and I have enjoyed all of them. If don't like a book I stop listening to it and never write a review, so every book I finish I enjoy. The River of Doubt might be my favorite of them all.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The River of Doubt?

I don't want to give anything away but every minute of this story is interesting. From the time they are planning the journey to the back story of what happens 30 years later. I particularly enjoyed the section about Rondon, a man I never heard of prior to listening to this book. His story alone is worth listening to this book.

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

Superb job. John Lee and Scott Brick are among my favorite narrators and Paul Michael is now in those ranks. He was serous without being maudlin, dramatic without being melodramatic.Great job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not in one sitting but I got through it very quickly.

Any additional comments?

This book is a good example where a narration can be better than a reading of the book. Fantastic job audible. Thank You.

Very intense

Well researched and written, this is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to trek the Amazon Rain Forest . Even though you think you know the ending Millard
has suspense dangling from every tree. I highly recommend this book, but be warned this is not a frivolous book.

Really enjoyed this like a novel.

This was a great insight into someone I knew little to nothing about. It has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with adventure, ego, ecology (not the annoying tree hugger kind, the cool - "look what I found" kind,) and family.

President Roosevelt - and this was AFTER he left office - was an almost fearless adventurer, as was the son he took with him - which sometimes he was sorry for, in fear for his life. They are brave, foolish, strong, and sometimes convinced they will not survive (and some do not.) I cannot imagine the mindset that is required to undertake that kind of map making. The Amazon jungle today is still a largely unfriendly terrain with people who have little contact with what we call civilization, but imagine trying to navigate thorugh that world before there were any maps to let you know what you would find, (or WHO,) and throw in the lack of medical advances, satelite phones, or other technologies. No roads, no phones, no radios, just you, some wooden boats and your wits. They didn't even know how long the river was, and so did not know how long they would be out there.

They say truth is stranger than fiction, and this is a novel that proves it. Great read, great book, and probably a great president.

WOW!!

I read 20-30 books a year and this was the MOST enthralling, engrossing story I've come across since Boys in The Boat! I highly recommend this to anyone who has a spirit of adventure in their soul, be that from an armchair or in the jungle.

Captivating!

loved every word of this book. couldn't stop. will read it again and highly recommended to all of my friends.

Captivating and insightful

I had a hunch when I bought "The River of Doubt" that I might enjoy it - I am a biologist interested in American History and I have long admired Theodore Roosevelt. This audiobook however is much more than just enjoyable. The narration is intriguing, the people come alive and one can nearly feel, smell, and see what happened along the River of Doubt in early 1914. I listened during commutes in my car and at times I found myself in the parking lot listening a few more minutes as I did not want to part with Roosevelt, Rondon and their expedition. 5 stars!

A page-flipper story of exploration of the unknown

Would you listen to The River of Doubt again? Why?

Not sure if I would but I can say that I did check the available (old B&W) videos of the journey so I could grasp a little more of the excruciating activities that so many men went true for the sake of one’s man dream to find and explore the unknown. I would love to see a movie about it.

What other book might you compare The River of Doubt to and why?

I have recently read Endurance, which I have liked very much as well. True stories that tell what it seems to be a never ending string of setbacks in people’s adventures, and how through hope, trust, friendship and faith (not really mentioned in those books) those are overcome are amazingly entertaining.

Have you listened to any of Paul Michael’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Got to love Paul Michael!!!! He can put you "in" the book. I have listened all the Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series and can say that I actually look for his work to put in my wish list.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

As a Brazilian, I was very pleased to know more about Marshal Candido Mariano da Silva Randon. Coincidentally, he is a symbol in the Brazilian Army of Communications, where I have served. I knew the reason, but not the details. In the other hand, is hard to believe what people would do at the service of others (the “Camaradas”) under such traumatic conditions in the jungle.

Any additional comments?

Knowing more about Teddy Roosevelt’s life, work and family was a plus. A nice piece of American history little known to most people. In a sad note, what was done later to the native Indians is the dark side of history, like in so many other instances were the "conquistadores" come, and take over (Amazon, Mexico, the American plains, etc.)

Great story but too long!

Any additional comments?

I loved Ms. Millard's book about James Garfield, and this book was a wonderful story, but by the end I thought the explorers had been in the jungle for about three years! Detail is great, but this book was bulked up with too much florid language. I was riveted but then I couldn't wait for the end. Good narration.

RIVETING. DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK

One of Audible's Best.
If you have any interest whatsoever in Theodore Roosevelt and the Amazon region, this book will inform and amaze you.

Great Book

What did you love best about The River of Doubt?

I loved the adventure of this book and that a former US President would take such a journey...and survive.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite seen is when Roosevelt had given himself up for dead and chose not to go on so he would not harm the group from their chances of getting out alive.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Courage beyond measure