The River of Doubt
by Candice Millard · first published 2005
75% recommend25% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Gripping narrative of Theodore Roosevelt's dangerous 1914 Amazon expedition, covering the river and the people involved. Recommended for readers of exploration history and adventure nonfiction.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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 p
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…reading of the Count of Monte Cristo is wonderful (even at 47 hours). Ron Chernow’s biographies of Grant, Hamilton, and Washington. Candice Millard‘s “Hero’s of the Empire” (about Winston Churchill) and “River of Doubt” (Theodore Roosevelt) are both interesting looks at important historical figures in situations we don’t often prescribe to them. Her first book “Destiny of the Republic” (James Garfield) is also good…
on “Ask HN: What are the best audiobooks you have ever listened to?” ↗River of Doubt - Candice Millard https://www.candicemillard.com/river-of-doubt.html Covers Teddy Roosevelt's Amazon expedition. To the comment about "weren't people living in the Amazon" - read the book. The Brazilian…
on “Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things” ↗81. Failure is Not an Option by Gene Kranz 82. Mrs. P’s Journey by Phyllis Pearsall 83. River of Doubt by Candice Millard 84. Longitude by Dava Sobel 85. Dreaming in Code by Scott Rosenberg 86. The Last Viking - A biography of Roald Amundsen 87. The Wager by David Grann 88. Simply Fly by Captain G.…
on “Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things” ↗Related: the Roosevelt–Rondon Scientific Expedition through the Amazon River system, in Brazil. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt%E2%80%93Rondon_Scien... The River of Doubt, Roosevelt's documentary of the expedition: https://youtu.be/fKXOtJeaTEQ A 100-year anniversary expedition visiting the Roosevelt River in Brazil. https://youtu.be/hUACMEJfCvc Roosevelt wrote, “Tell…
on “Teddy Roosevelt pursues the boat thieves” ↗