The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey in Around the World in 80 Books

Aug 03, 2007 Kay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, biogr-memoir, harrowing-tales, exploration-adventure, american-histry, audiobooks

I'm fascinated by the life and times of Teddy Roosevelt. When Roosevelt lost the election of 1912, he took off for South America on an adventure that nearly killed him. The expedition met numerous setbacks -- problems with disease, loss of canoes and essential supplies, passages through boiling rapids and through the territory of hostile natives. Throughout it all, Roosevelt seemed almost undaunted and was ever the avid naturalist and hunter, up until he contracted a deadly bacterial infection. ...more

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Aug 04, 2015 Erica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: american-history

An exciting travel biography of TR, Kermit, and the other men that went on the Amazonian tributary mapping tour in the early nineteen-teens. Millard does a wonderful job not only providing the backstories of her central characters at the right moments, but also weaves in biology, botany, colonization, and travel history of the Amazon. I loved getting this up-close portrait of TR's last major adventure. It also makes me want to read more about one of Brazil's national heroes, Rondon!

I've suggeste ...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Rich Price rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites

Really liked it. Can't get over the detailed citations(80 pages) that the author pulled together the narrative from. Read it! ...more

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Feb 16, 2014 TR Ryan rated it really liked it

Excellent, surprising read!

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Apr 10, 2016 Jen Pratt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I just finished it for the second time in preparation for a book club. I was the one to recommend the book. I love learning about true events and people, especially when it is as exciting as this! I really learned a lot about Theodore Roosevelt and found him very likable, but if must have been very hard to be his wife and be left for long periods. This adventurous trip has every hardship you can imagine and is very well told.

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