In 'The River of Doubt,' Candice Millard unveils the harrowing expedition of Theodore Roosevelt as he journeys into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Facing relentless challenges, from treacherous waters to deadly wildlife, the former president's resilience is put to the ultimate test. As Roosevelt grapples with his own vulnerabilities, a gripping tale of survival and adventure unfolds. Millard masterfully intertwines history and adventure, revealing not just the physical dangers of the expedition, but the psychological battles as well. This riveting narrative invites readers to explore the untamed wilderness and the indomitable spirit of one of America's most iconic figures.
By Candice Millard
Published: 2006
"The river winds like a serpent, both beautiful and treacherous, much like the journey of the heart that seeks to explore the unknown."
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait—the bestselling author of River of the Gods brings us the true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth. “A rich, dramatic tale that ranges from the personal to the literally earth-shaking.” —The New York Times 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, Cândido 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. Look for Candice Millard’s latest book, River of the Gods.
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“The river winds like a serpent, both beautiful and treacherous, much like the journey of the heart that seeks to explore the unknown.”
The River of Doubt
By Candice Millard
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Candice Millard is a renowned American author known for her captivating narrative non-fiction that brings historical figures and events to life. She is the author of several acclaimed books, including "The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey," which was a finalist for the William Saroyan International Prize, and "Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President," which won the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime. Millard's writing is characterized by meticulous research, vivid storytelling, and an ability to intertwine personal and historical narratives, drawing readers into the complexities of human experience amid significant historical events.
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