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)

Amazing True Life Adventure

A story about a former President that as fascinating as it is unknown. The men in this tale are the essence of true adventurers.

Terrific! ( but Audible lists the wrong Narrator on the cover )

An extremely well written book, read exceptionally well by the actual Narrator, Paul Michael. Candice Millard provides does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life and telling an amazing story. Paul Michael does an exceptional job narrating, using different voices for each character or role in the book that very, very well to enhance the listener’s experience.

exciting book.

one of the most exciting adventure story I've ever read. 16 yr old grandson recommended it to ys.

Gripping narrative, well paced and suspenseful,

I’ve travelled the upper Amazon in Ecuador and the descriptions of the forest (it’s not a jungle) are hauntingly familiar. We travelled by dugout canoe, catching piranha with a hand line to eat. Only one contact with the natives, they gave us some flesh from a giant fish 7 feet long.

True story of a great man's determination.

This is a true story of survival against all odds. It is told with excellence.

Forget the Avengers. TR was a real super hero.

One of the best historical tales I've ever heard about one of the greatest human beings to walk the earth.

Engaging Story

This is one of the best books I have listened to this year. The true life adventure is more exciting than most fiction, and I enjoyed learning about this little bit of history. Sure Theodore Roosevelt is a fascinating subject, but I was even more interested in his Brazilian co-leader of the expedition who spent much of his life working for the rights of the indigenous people of the Amazon. This is one of those books that brings to life an important part of history and is fun to listen to as well.

My first Audio Book

I don’t know how this isn’t a movie?! Theodore Roosevelt might be the toughest American President is the history of the United States! Thoroughly enjoyed!

Absolutely fantastic.

A beautiful and intimate look at man’s ability to thrive and survive in the harshest conditions.

Ahhhh…. The perfect book

I don’t seem to be able to get enough of this great story. After five times listening, I still can’t get enough.