The River of Doubt

I enjoyed and grimaced at this true story of courage and hardship that Roosevelt, his son and his trusted companions took down the River of Doubt. What a story!

She is such a fantastic writer. I just finished her book on Garfield and that was mesmerizing as well. I want to read everything she writes!

Certainly! The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard is an enthralling nonfiction narrative that delves into the harrowing exploration of one of the most treacherous rivers on Earth. Here’s a review of this gripping adventure: At the heart of this captivating tale is Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. After suffering a humiliating election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt sought redemption through an audacious physical challenge: the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon known as the River of Doubt. This black, uncharted river winds through the dense jungles of Brazil, where Indians armed with poison-tipped arrows lurk in the shadows, piranhas glide through its waters, and boulder-strewn rapids transform it into a roiling cauldron. Accompanied by his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, Roosevelt embarked on an expedition that would alter the map of the western hemisphere forever. Their journey was nothing short of extraordinary, fraught with unimaginable hardships: losing canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, enduring starvation, Indian attacks, disease, drowning, and even a murder within their own ranks. Three men lost their lives, and Roosevelt himself was brought to the brink of suicide. Candice Millard weaves this gripping account with meticulous research, vivid descriptions, and a keen eye for detail. The reader is transported from the soaring beauty of the Amazon rainforest to the darkest moments of Roosevelt’s life. The narrative reads like fiction, drawing readers in with its intensity and suspense. While primarily a biographical portrait of Roosevelt, the book rarely delves into politics, making it a refreshing departure from typical presidential biographies. In summary, The River of Doubt is an incredible adventure story that brings to life the courage, determination, and resilience of one of the most famous Americans who ever lived. Millard’s debut work is a powerful tribute to Roosevelt’s indomitable spirit and the unforgiving wilderness that tested it. If you’re seeking a thrilling blend of history, adventure, and biography, I highly recommend diving into the depths of The River of Doubt.

Very engaging

Millard’s account of Roosevelt’s expedition is engaging and a very fast read. Her writing layers the chronology of the expedition with historical details and character development. Highly recommend this book.

Reading about Roosevelt in his adventures is a must and River of Doubt demonstrates his ease with perilous adventiur and with people of all kind. What an amazing piece of American and world history.

Great story of amazing adventurers. Well told and almost hard to believe struggles to accomplish goals and even survive.

An incredible expedition occurring in one of the most inhospitable jungles of the world by a fearless legend who by that time had achieved significant political successes. Instead of being content with writing his memoirs, he undertook what most would consider an impossible human endeavor.

Great storytelling about an amazing journey. Wow!

I may not agree with President Roosevelt's politics but what an extraordinary man!