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)

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.

A Remarkable Adventure

This book taught me once again about how little I know of the world. It was a fascinating story of a grand adventure in the Amazon. I enjoyed meeting the members of the exploring party, especially Cândido Rondon. Although I have travelled many times to Brazil, I was unfamiliar with this man.
And it helped further complete my picture of Theodore Roosevelt. Having recently read "Mornings on Horseback", about his early life, this book took me to the end of it.
Candice Millard is a great storyteller and Paul Michael's narration was excellent, even with all the Brazilian, Indian and Portuguese names.

Great adventure story.

This story places great historical perspective on the character of Theodore Roosevelt. His life character and adventures are well shared.

I love Theodore

Praise the man! He is amazing! Woot woot woot woot woot woot woot woot woot

Just totally gripping.

Absolutely loved it, every twist and turn in the phenomenal story brought with it vivid scenes of the brutality that is jungle exploration. Millard does a phenomenal job of including many voices and perspectives in an effort to shed more light in those complicated scenes.

Finished it in a few days and couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

Amazing enough to be almost unbelievable

The performance is good if relatively unnoteworthy. The story and the writing are first class. Everyone would benefit by witnessing here the thrilling capabilites. huge heart, and engrossing personality of Teddy Roosevelt.