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

I very much enjoyed this Audible book. It's a great story of adventure and exploration when so much of the world was unexplored.

So much better than I expected

What an illuminating look into Roosevelt and the Amazon of that time. The author gives a full picture of the personalities, the politics and the environment. And man alive, the environment in the unexplored Amazon was as far away as the moon and way more dangerous.

Excellent in all ways

There’s excellence abounding—in the rich details, the fluid writing, and the reader’s tempo with his mellifluous voice and characterizations. He is THE BEST reader/performer I have heard on any audiobook.

I listened to this book twice and one day will listen to it yet a third or perhaps fourth time. In the meantime, I’ll be looking for this author and performer.

A must read

I think this is the Best book I’ve ever listened to. It is Indiana Jones meets Grapes of Wrath.

A fascinating look at Teddy Roosevelt

This is a story of Roosevelt I have never heard. Millard’s writing is competing and engaging.

l really was pleased with this book.

Am insight to Roosevelt's personality that, to me, was a delight. I had no idea of his stamina. What they lived through is amazing.All the men that came through it are heroes. Loved it.

Excellent story

Overall very good. The writing meanders a bit in the middle. But the story crackles and the audacity of the mission they undertook is breathtaking.

Astonishing

I kept wondering if things could still go wrong and they did! Great read for sure.

Exceptional!

Millard provides the perfect amount of background on TR to set the stage for one of the greatest exploration adventures in history. Additionally, she provides wonderful detail on the flora and fauna of the rainforest.

Anyone who likes TR, the outdoors, exploration, this book is for you!

An Indelible Classic!

Wow, what a great book! I loved every second of it. I could not stop listening.