• 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 (8,647 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

Average customer ratings
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Loved it

I enjoyed this book very much. I had no idea that Theodore Roosevelt went on this journey. I learned a lot. It is an exciting book, and I couldn’t stop listening!! What an adventure! I honestly want to listen again to it.

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Adventure Story

The narrator of this book is excellent. His voice is smooth and strong depicting the character of the men on this journey--smooth Rough Riders.

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Adventure and history in a great story

A great mix of a solid story line, adventure, historical context and a legit American icon/hero. The obstacles, human weakness, extraordinary grit, bravery and tragedy were well represented throughout the story line. The Amazon was brought alive in words, no easy task.

Well executed, the narrator was a great asset to the overall experience.

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Not a dry, boring moment listening to this book!

Incredible insight into the indomitable spirit of Teddy Roosevelt. I will listen to this book again, something I rarely do.

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The best yet

What a literary accomplishment! I am so impressed with the amount of work the author did to put out such a wonderful piece of work. All I can say is WOW. This is the best book I've heard since I've been with Audible. I feel like I just took an incredible trip down the Amazon.

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Loved it!

The detail and breadth the author conveys is extraordinary. Stop what you're doing and get this book now.

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The Teddy Story I Never Heard Til Now?!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended this book to several people in conversation as a little known story of the charismatic President Teddy Roosevelt. This story would make a great movie! The story is fraught with detail about the wilderness of the Brazilian region, wonderful characters, dangers abound and Millard captures both the vulnerable side of TR and that which makes him truly "BULLY" indeed.

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

The real story of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

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Wow...

Fascinating. Wonderful telling of a story that I had no idea had actually happened. Provides a great new insight into an already captivating president.

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Where are you TR, when we need you?

It is difficult a life with more packed into it, than TR's 60 years on this planet. An amazing story about an incredible group of men.
The remainder of Kermit's life was a true letdown. Read the book. Period.

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Gripping Adventure

This book is a gripping tale of adventure. The author’s inclusion of thoughtful backstories bring the men’s personalities to life in a way that makes it feel like you knew them. The performance of the reader does justice to the book and is pleasant to listen to.

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