• The River of Doubt

  • Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
  • By: Candice Millard
  • Narrated by: Paul Michael
  • Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (8,601 ratings)

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The River of Doubt  By  cover art

The River of Doubt

By: Candice Millard
Narrated by: Paul Michael
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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)

What listeners say about The River of Doubt

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Wonderful story

Candace Millard!! Congratulations
Wonderful switch between facts of the Amazon and descriptions of the characters.

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Must Read

Filled with countless twists and turns this
is one of those amazing stories that simultaneously educate and entertain you.

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A New Favorite

I’ve never been a historical non-fiction girly, but this book was excellent. Very well written and detailed. I never knew this about Theodore Roosevelt, so I learned a lot through this book. What an incredibly interesting and eventful story. HOW HAD THIS NOT BEEN MADE INTO A MOVIE?!

The narrator did a good job too!

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SPECTACULAR STORY!

Incredible story. Beautifully written and admirably narrated. Exciting with great detail and historical richness. Was sorry to reach the end. Powerful book.

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Wow

So worth the time . Amazing story. Narration is tremendous. You will not regret listening to this !

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Incredible tale

A well told real life adventure which delves into everything from the ecology of the rainforest to the psychology of the men involved. Truly harrowing at times.

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A story of courage

Wow, what an incredible tale of courage and determination. I now know why Teddy Roosevelt’s face was carved into Mount Rushmore.

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Spectacular

One of the absolute best stories I’ve heard coupled with a greatly worthy performance. I am truly sorry it is over.

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  • dl
  • 04-16-23

Superb— better than a movie. I wish it hadn’t ended

I learned so much from this. There are so many facets to T Roosevelt’s life and while this well-performed book succeeds in reflecting most of them.

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Peerless

An absolutely brilliant book by Millard; the expedition is as engaging and incredible as Theodore Roosevelt.

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