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)

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

Riveting!

After this book I became a big fan of Teddy Roosevelt. I was supposed to listen during cardio on the stationary bike but ended up listening to it for hours while searching for images of the river to supplement the experience down the river with Teddy and Candido. Candido Rondon is another guy on my hero list. This book was riveting, inofrmative, and inspiring. I would highly recommend it.

One of those stories so true it seems like fiction

An amazing story. Roosevelt is a beast of history and the journey down the river is thrilling.

great book

amazing tale.....made me think about the power of the rain forest and the magnitude of Theodore Roosevelt....do not miss this book. no work of fiction can compete

Amazing

Roosevelt was an amazing man. They just don't make many like him anymore. I fully recommend this story to any history buff, outdoorsman, or Rosevelt fan.

Wow

Teddy Roosevelt's journey through the Amazon is one of the most interesting true life stories I have read. One of America's most iconic figures, Roosevelt truly had an explorer's heart and an unmatched sense of adventure. What a great story.

T.Roosevelt's life more riveting than any fiction.

Millard writes historical adventure with accuracy; Michael reveals human drama with clarity and depth. Marvelous.

The Age of Strong Traits

These are the characters that formed strong societies. As we struggle in a generation of weak characters we must go back to history to see what it means to be strong and relentless in the pursuit of strength of character. Great read after finishing Endurance by Alfred Lansing. Another book that emphasizes strong well formed character traits.

Epic tale of adventure

Great story, well narrated, and good depiction of the people of the expedition. Got to know Roosevelt like I've never heard before.

Inspirational and gripping.

Powerful and engaging adventure that leaves you wanting more. Well written and a great story.