This is a tremendous book, retelling a significant voyage of discovery in the early 20th century involving the former president; his son Kermit and Brazil's foremost explorer Candido Rondon.

Following his resounding defeat in the election of 1912, when he ran as a third party candidate, and badly splintered the Republican Party, Roosevelt decided, as was his habit, to recuperate by throwing himself into a vigorous physical challenge.

Initially intended as a combination speaking tour/excursion, Theodore Roosevelt's impulsive decision to expand the trip to include exploring the uncharted River of Doubt, turned the journey into a life threatening experience. First time author Candice Millard does a great job of building suspense and defining the characters.

Brazil's Col. Rondon, who had devoted his life to exploring the Amazon, and whose committment to the native population was such that he expected his men to die rather than fight back if they were attacked, comes across as a fascinating character in his own right, and obviously, there are conflicts with his co commander, the hero of San Juan Hill. Roosevelt's, dutiful son Kermit is also a finely drawn character, with his quiet acceptance of his father's demands, until the ex-president finally asks too much of him and the son over rules the old man and basically takes command of the operation.

Mallard's background as an editor for National Geographic comes into play here as she describes the difficulties of jungle exploration, and sets the scene in the Amazon wonderfully.

I read this after reading two parts of the projected three volumne biography of Roosevelt by Edmond Morris, and was actually a little fearful this would suffer by comparison. But Mallard tells this slice of the Teddy Roosevelt story exceptionally well and brings other characters, places and events into the story.

The story of T. Roosevelt's trip down this perilous river was interesting and exciting. It certainly increased my knowledge of this adventuresome man. I would highly recommend it.

We thought this was an outstanding book. I read it outloud to my husband.
Each evening, after work, we would have a glass of wine and enjoy "The River of Doubt". It is a non-fiction, but it reads just like a fiction novel. If only our high school history books could read half as well, all of our children would be in love with history!
Although a professional writer for National Geographic, it is hard to believe that this is Candice Millards first book. Her research is unbelievable. Both my husband and I learned many things about the Amazon and Teddy Roosevelt. Three cheers to Ms. Millard ! Don't miss this one !
Betty CampThe River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

Fastpaced account of the South American River journey that hastened TRs early death a few years later. What started out as a sight-seeing trip turned into a journey of exploration of the River of Doubt--then the official name of a river nearly a thousand miles long that had never been mapped. Ex-President Teddy was invited to make the journey casually by Brazilian politicians, and when he accepted, the team of leaders and Brazilian Telegraph workers ended up on a journey that involved deaths, capsized dugout canoes, and Indian encounters any of which could have left the entire team dead.

As it was, TR became deathly ill from an infection and malaria, and in fact at one point he told the team to go forward without him so he could put himself out of his misery. The team (including TRs own son) refused, and he and the rest just made it out alive.

Millard tells the tale with few wasted words and keeps the pace cracking like a page-turning novel.

How delightful to read of a former president who was truly a man of honor. In Teddy Roosevelt's treacherous expedition down the River Of Doubt, a previously unchartered tributary of the Amazon River, you see a man who consistently could have used his status to gain privilege. However, this Roosevelt, time and again, rather than being an elitist, shows himself to be a true meritocracist, always honoring hard work, determination, and discipline over rank.
The circumstances the men on his expedition found themselves in, constantly tested the metal of each of them. Roosevelt, fell deathly ill. Rather than burden the others, and put them at peril, he decided to take his own life. Realizing the damaging effect his death would have on his son (his son Kermit went on the expedition to protect his father), Roosevelt decided not to take the lethal dose of morphine he brought with him. Despite high fevers, and painful infected abscesses from a former injury, he did all he could to carry his own weight and not burden the other men.
In adventure, after adventure, you will come to love TR, and to see his humanity as it was never before portrayed.

After Theodore Roosevelt ran and lost the election for President on the Bull Moose ticket in 1912, he felt he needed an adventure into the depths of South America. Indeed TR was prone to these excursions since he was an experienced Cowboy in the West and he had done safaris in Africa.
Candice Millard tells a true story which few people know about. Theodore Roosevelt was looking for adventure in South America. By God he did indeed get the adventure of a lifetime.
Teddy's friend suggested a survey of the Rio da Duvida, The River of Doubt an unchartered capillary of the Amazon River. This area was both treacherous, unmapped and very dangerous. The team he assembled for this expeditionary force was both ill equipped and not familiar in the requirements needed for such a journey.
The President traveled with his son Kermit on this exotic adventure. The travel was organized by Colonel Rondon. The travel was always dangerous and at times reckless. Mr. Roosevelt nearly died of a tropical fever. In the end they indeed did survive thanks in a huge part to the efforts of Colonel Rondon. Less than 7 years later TR Roosevelt would die in his bed at Sagamore Hill, Long Island.
I learned a great deal in Candice Millard's depiction of these South American episodes. Her prose was both informative and very entertaining. Bravo! Five Stars!!

It should not be easy to mix history, action, geography, ornithology...in one book, but this book is exceptionally well balanced. The author gives not only the details of Theodore Roosevelt and his companions heroic journey across the uncharted rain forests of the Amazon, but provides amazingly deep insight of the wild life of the rain forests, and it's first explorers. I rarely find books that makes me 100% satisfied, but this was that kind. It is a really great book!

What an amazing story this was! Reading this book blew my mind in so many ways I'm not sure where to begin. Let's start with saying Teddy Roosevelt was one amazing man and an incredibly tough SOB. They sure don't make them like they used to. There was just so much in here that I didn't know about and I can't believe that I didn't know about. Did you know that TR was shot immediately before a campaign speech? The bullet was partially slowed by its passage through the folded speech and his glasses case he had in his jacket but it still penetrated five inches into his chest. Then, with a bleeding chest wound, he still gave the speech before getting medical attention!

That's just one little anecdote in this book about the amazing exploration that TR did with his son Kermit, Amercian ornithologist George Cherrie, and Brazilian Colonel Candido Rondon, charting the River of Doubt in Amazonia. This was one of the most amazing true stories that I've read and it makes all the action adventure heroes you've ever admired seem like complete wimps. The headwaters of the Rio da Duvida were discovered by Colonel Candida in the early 1900's but although he wanted to chart it his expedition was too battered by simply getting there to proceed and they had to turn back. TR shows up in 1913 after loosing the presidential election and decides to go down the river with Rondon. No white man had ever been down the river and no one even knew where it went. They mount an expedition, take months to even get to the headwaters, lose most of their livestock, provisions and all their boats before they even get there but they still head down the river using dugouts bought from local indians. The story of their four month river trek is marked by harrowing privation, disease, near starvation, hostile indians, despair, drownings, and murder. I was so amazed by what I was reading I gave a running commentary to my wife as I went along and I remember telling her at one point that I just don't see how they are going to make it. I really didn't. Not everyone does make it unfortunately. TR himself was so close to death through malaria, infection and starvation that it is incredible that he survived, although his privations did catch up with him later and was likely responsible for his early death a few years later at age 60. I don't want to talk about the details of the book so much that this review becomes a spoiler but everyone should read this book. It will probably leave you savagely disappointed with the quality of presidents we've had recently but it will also leave you amazed at how unbelievably courageous and special one of our presidents was. The life story of Colonel Rondon is just as remarkable as TR's, if not more so, and I'd unhesitatingly recommend the book just for the parts about Rondon. They were two amazing men and true heroes. I mean it. Hero is a word that gets too indiscriminately applied today, but if there is such a thing as heroes these guys are it. The book actually got me thinking about who would win a toughest president competition....then I remembered Washington and his war campaigns, especially Valley Forge, and Old Hickory was pretty darn tough too. I don't know who would win that competition but I don't think anyone would want to bet against TR afer reading this. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, you won't be disappointed by this story.

I do have one reservation about this book, which involves the writing style, which is the only reason I give this book four stars instead of five. The actual story was an amazing six star reading experience, but Millard's writing, while mostly beautiful, clear, and compelling could become very irritating at many points because of repetitious foreshadowing. One example has to do with the murder that takes place. Millard presages the event and identifies the murderer no less than four or five times before the actual event takes place. I feel the book would have been much more suspenseful and a better read if she hadn't done the foreshadowing at all, but if you're going to do it, once is enough. The repetition in this book lengthened the book unnecessarily and detracted from the reading experience. Do not let this keep you from reading the book though, you'll learn to just skip a paragraph ahead when she starts repeating herself. Don't miss this one, you'll not read a better true story this year.

Holy jumping monkeys! What an amazing story this was! Reading this book blew my mind in so many ways I'm not sure where to begin. Let's start with saying Teddy Roosevelt was one amazing man and an incredibly tough SOB. They sure don't make them like they used to. There was just so much in here that I didn't know about and I can't believe that I didn't know about. Did you know that TR was shot immediately before a campaign speech? The bullet was partially slowed by its passage through the folded speech and his glasses case he had in his jacket but it still penetrated five inches into his chest. Then, with a bleeding chest wound, he still gave the speech before getting medical attention!

That's just one little anecdote in this book about the amazing exploration that TR did with his son Kermit, Amercian ornithologist George Cherrie, and Brazilian Colonel Candido Rondon, charting the River of Doubt in Amazonia. This was one of the most amazing true stories that I've read and it makes all the action adventure heroes you've ever admired seem like complete wimps. The headwaters of the Rio da Duvida were discovered by Colonel Candida in the early 1900's but although he wanted to chart it his expedition was too battered by simply getting there to proceed and they had to turn back. TR shows up in 1913 after loosing the presidential election and decides to go down the river with Rondon. No white man had ever been down the river and no one even knew where it went. They mount an expedition, take months to even get to the headwaters, lose most of their livestock, provisions and all their boats before they even get there but they still head down the river using dugouts bought from local indians. The story of their four month river trek is marked by harrowing privation, disease, near starvation, hostile indians, despair, drownings, and murder. I was so amazed by what I was reading I gave a running commentary to my wife as I went along and I remember telling her at one point that I just don't see how they are going to make it. I really didn't. Not everyone does make it unfortunately. TR himself was so close to death through malaria, infection and starvation that it is incredible that he survived, although his privations did catch up with him later and was likely responsible for his early death a few years later at age 60. I don't want to talk about the details of the book so much that this review becomes a spoiler but everyone should read this book. It will probably leave you savagely disappointed with the quality of presidents we've had recently but it will also leave you amazed at how unbelievably courageous and special one of our presidents was. The life story of Colonel Rondon is just as remarkable as TR's, if not more so, and I'd unhesitatingly recommend the book just for the parts about Rondon. They were two amazing men and true heroes. I mean it. Hero is a word that gets too indiscriminately applied today, but if there is such a thing as heroes these guys are it. The book actually got me thinking about who would win a toughest president competition....then I remembered Washington and his war campaigns, especially Valley Forge, and Old Hickory was pretty darn tough too. I don't know who would win that competition but I don't think anyone would want to bet against TR afer reading this. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, you won't be disappointed by this story.

I do have one reservation about this book, which involves the writing style, which is the only reason I give this book four stars instead of five. The actual story was an amazing six star reading experience, but Millard's writing, while mostly beautiful, clear, and compelling could become very irritating at many points because of repetitious foreshadowing. One example has to do with the murder that takes place. Millard presages the event and identifies the murderer no less than four or five times before the actual event takes place. I feel the book would have been much more suspenseful and a better read if she hadn't done the foreshadowing at all, but if you're going to do it, once is enough. The repetition in this book lengthened the book unnecessarily and detracted from the reading experience. Do not let this keep you from reading the book though, you'll learn to just skip a paragraph ahead when she starts repeating herself. Don't miss this one, you'll not read a better true story this year.

This fascinating account of Theodore Roosevelt's disastrous trip on the River of Doubt is well-written and meticulously researched. It has many "micro histories" on the flora and fauna of Brazil (hint: don't read this outside around a lot of bugs) as well as the native peoples of the region. My only frustration had to do with all the diversions when, on a few occasions, I just wanted to find out what happened next. The epilogue tells the reader the sometimes tragic personal stories once the journey ended and was one of the portions of the book that I shall remember the most. I read this as a book club assignment and we had a lengthy and lively discussion on Roosevelt, his son, and the men who played such a critical part of their journey. If you like a lot of detail in harrowing stories of exploration and adventure, this would be a perfect choice.

Wonderful Read
Candice Millard's book about Theodore Roosevelt's darkest journey, The River of Doubt, is absolutely superb. 5+ stars. Not only does Ms. Millard's work read like a suspense thriller, but it is very informative, highly educational and all true as well. The book is about Teddy Roosevelt's nearly disastrous exploration of the then unknown Amazon after his humiliating presidential defeat in 1912. During the difficult journey both TR and his son Kermit almost die while most in the expedition feared they ALL would. It is an amazing and educational book not only about TR the man, but also about the mysterious, dangerous, unknown Amazon of 1914. It is the best non-fiction book I've read in the last few years.
Ms. Millard writes in a very engaging style. Very well documented, The River of Doubt presents this extreme exploration challenge of a then unknown Amazon tributary in such a way as to reel the reader into the heart of the adventure. You actually feel as if you are on the trek along with Teddy Roosevelt and the other explorers. Feeling their heartaches, emotional swings, fears, and physical victories and failures, you root for their success. As the expedition nears disaster and TR faces death, the expedition finally reaches the outside world and success.
An amazing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I heartily recommend this superb book. It is one of the best biographical works I have read in several years.
Enjoy.

If the events in this book weren't so well documented I would have accused the author of making them up to increase the drama. I haven't been so engaged in a story in a long time.

An amazing story, extremely well excuted by the author.

I really looked forward to this book and will give it kudos for being nicely written. Quite frankly though I found the story lame. It follows the poor planning, bad decision making, and vast ego of Teddy Roosevelt. He picks the wrong people and endangers many others for an expedition that if anyone else were involved the book would be called Fools Rush In. Right from the start you know their doomed and sure enough its let the suffering begin. By the time the book was over I hoped never to hear another thing about good old Teddy and his over indulged family again. He stands despite attempts in the book to make him bigger than life an exploded ego driven by celebrity. If your a Teddy fan I'd pass on this book. If you like reading about people making really dumb decisions (ie picking a guy who failed at an artic expedition to plan you tropical one) and almost dying from them then this is the book for you.

I first bought this for my brother in law, and he couldn't stop raving about it. I had planned on buying myself a copy at some point anyway, but after hearing him talk about it, I decided to buy it a little sooner than planned. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but it turned out to be a very good read. It's not written as an adventure novel - It's simply a play-by-play of what happened, and what some of the participants wrote about it. One could liken it to watching something on the History Channel - basically just giving the facts, but less dry than being told in a textbook. The passages of quoted letters, etc. work like the personal commentaries would - just giving a little extra insight to what the people were feeling. What I really liked about it though, was that it didn't focus solely on Roosevelt and his party - you also were given insight into the previously unknown inhabitants of the rainforest (both people and animals). The author also didn't try to paint the native people as "savages". While their violent acts were depicted, their reasons for such were explained. Their way of life, of "kill or be killed" was how they survived the violent unpredictable world around them. I think Millard did a wonderful job with this book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who's even remotely interested in history.

I bought this book on a whim, not knowing much about Teddy Roosevelt and knowing nothing about his voyage to the Amazon region. What an eye-opening book this was for me. I learned so much about this great historical figure and his adventure. It's so much more than a history book, though. There is geography, Brazilian culture and a whole lot of Amazonian biology that together combine to form a fascinating read. While the river may be called "The River of Doubt", there is no doubt that the author has extensively researched this book to produce a real gem of a non-fiction read. Highly recommended.

This is a magnificently written book about a true American hero. This is not a book about a photo op failed man. The book focuses on the important issues of preparation for an endeavor; but, the focus is through the eyes of people with "true grit." It is a must read in this current era of failed preparation. It is beyond belief that the Washington Post would write "...imagine it: George W. Bush loses re-election by a landslide and, undeterred by the humiliation of it all, sets off on a journey of unspeakable danger and hardship into the darkest depths of the Amazon jungle." George W. Bush would never set off on such a journey because he is a coward, an alcoholic personality, who would not survive one minute in the real world of Teddy Roosevelt. It is an insult to Teddy, to his true grit and to America to confuse a silver spoon idiot such as George W. Bush with a true American hero like T. Roosevelt. This book is a must read for fans of Teddy and for those who wish to better understand the struggles of this American icon.

Ms Millard has produced an extremely well written, thoroughly researched, and highly readable book about Roosevelt's amazon exploration adventure. She has created an exquisite balance between the main characters of Roosevelt and Rondon which are illustrated by letters, diary entries and reports. She has included fascinating didactic material about the relevent areas of Brazil. Also she provides a good perspective on historical events, the subject of exploration in the region and the other individuals involved on this particular trip. An exercise of talent, a serious amount of work, plus a goodly dose of humour and some major 'ick' factors went into the writing of this book. Bravo Ms Millard! Encore! (I bought a hard covered copy, thank goodness.)

By Kurt DuNard, The Exceptional Life Coach.

At one time or another, everyone gets to be a leader. Whether we are leading our children to become worthwhile adults, leading employees of a major corporation, or even leading as the President of the United States, we have to create a leadership style that will motivate people to go beyond their own expectations. To define by contrast, do we lead as authoritarians and receive resentment and blowback or do we lead such that people would give their lives for the cause? Theodore Roosevelt was perhaps one of the most beloved American presidents and leaders of the early 20th Century. He led with beloved leadership.

I recently read a very interesting book entitled "The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey" by Candice Millard. This is a history book about Roosevelt's miraculous journey of discovery and exploration of an unknown 1,000 mile river in Brazil. Death, murder, starvation, disease, blood sucking parasites, murderous Stone Age people, a river with class five rapids, waterfalls and bad preparation were just some of the obstacles that had to be overcome. This is a true adventure story that we can all learn from. Under these conditions, leadership either works or fails. Here are a few things that Teddy taught us about leadership.

1. When you have a major disappointment or failure, find a new challenge that will inspire and motivate.

After Roosevelt had served as president, he decided to run again under a third party that he had created. It was popularly called The Bull Moose Party. He received a humiliating loss to Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt decided to mount a major expedition to explore The River of Doubt (now called Rio Roosevelt) in Brazil. He helped make history, increased man's knowledge of the interior of Brazil, and charted new maps. Few past presidents accomplish more than just a memoir after their presidency. Roosevelt became a notable explorer.

2. When you lead men and women, let it be known through voice and action that you will gladly help in any way they need. You will even help them with their job without recriminations. It goes without saying that you would never ask them to do something that you yourself would not be willing to do.

The Brazilians were constantly amazed that this past president of the United States did not want special treatment. Their experience with priests and dignitaries was that they liked to be carried in divan chairs, served special food, and given all other kinds of special considerations. Roosevelt worked as hard as the other members, ate the same rations, and would share in all the suffering. They loved him for being part of their community and part of their struggle. They were willing to follow his leadership.

3. Take a sincere personal interest in each member of the team.

When Roosevelt was alone with a member of the team, even if he was a hired porter, he would ask that member about his life and about his hopes and dreams. This past president of the United States was not just being emotionally intelligent; he really cared and wanted to know. He was sincerely interested in this "nobody." This is the essence of loving leadership. By wanting to know about the members' personal lives, he showed that he loved them.

4. As a leader, be willing to sacrifice yourself for the team. Roosevelt was willing to give his life.

When Roosevelt's leg was injured, infected, and he was starving with a 103 temperature and had to be carried, he gave much of his food to the other men because he felt they needed it more since they were doing more work. At one point, he was ready to commit suicide so that others would have a better chance at survival. His men would not hear of it and they were completely devoted to him. He was so loved that many would have given their lives to save his.

5. Fight for justice and recognition for your team.

After two people died and another one was lost in the jungle and after great hardship and risks to health and life, it was a great shock to Roosevelt that such people as Sir Clements Markham, a former president of England's famed Royal Geographic Society stated: "I feel somewhat incredulous as to Col. Roosevelt having actually discovered a new river nearly a thousand miles long." Markham made his statement based on his own hunches. Roosevelt gave lectures worldwide based on eyewitness accounts, documented longitudinal and latitudinal sightings, and forthright evidence of the facts. His detractors could not diminish the accomplishments of his team.

As with most biographies of great individuals, we can all learn how to live our lives better. With "The River of Doubt," we can learn how to be better leaders.


Kurt DuNard, The Exceptional Life Coach, is the author of Exceptional Life--Living the Life You Were Meant to Live. High achievers seek him out to pinpoint their soul's goals, increase abundance, and find more happiness and joy. If you think you would also like these things, then receive your FREE success tools from Kurt DuNard now at www.DuNard.com.

I started this book on Saturday evening and finished it Sunday night. A great summer read that I truly enjoyed and I found to be very well written. While it focuses on Roosevelt's journey, the information on other people, animals, plants and geography are thorough and interesting.

This book is just more evidence of how great a man Roosevelt was and how he thought about life in general. I learned a great deal from the book about the Amazon and the River of Doubt. A great book you won't be able to put down. Only draw back was that it was too short and needed more detail in some areas. Not only did I learn about the former President Roosevelt, but I learned a great deal about the Amazon itself. Simply an amazing read that I didn't want to end.

I was disappointed in River of Doubt, anticipating a gripping tale about both Teddy Roosevelt and what was then the unexplored Amazon River region. Roosevelt never really emerges as a person. Even more annoying, the description of the flora and fauna of the Amazon is anthropomorphic, failing to comprehend or acknowledge the most rudimentary and accepted concepts of species development and evolution. The author repeatedly tells us that nature adapted itself and developed strategies to accomplish specific tasks, which is a backwards view to say the least. Plants and animals have no more capability to alter their physical structure than we humans do. Resultant "strategies" reflect nothing more than survival of variations that were more resilient than others that did not survive. This story was marred by too much emphasis on adventure and threat, too much effort to make the jungle an adversary, and not enough attention to real personalities and science.

Samuel,

Theodore Roosevelt's trek through the Amazon wilderness in 1913-14 is not as well known as many other explorations of the Americas. Candice Millard's The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey includes many action packed scenes sonorousness with horror and triumph. Millard understands Roosevelt as a man who always needed a challenge, especially after any personal loss or public defeat, namely him loosing the presidential election in 1912. Hence, Roosevelt agreeing to lead a dangerous expedition down the unexplored River of Doubt to chart it.
The former president left the details to two men whom prepared for the trek sparsely, in which they had basically sent the party unprepared into an unknown wilderness. Theodore Roosevelt's darkest hour began when he jumped into the black river to save a loose boat. An injury turned into infection. He told the others to go on, planning to meet death with the noxious vial of poison he had packed for use in such circumstances. Son Kermit, one of the heroes of this tale, defied his father, declaring that they would all stay together. Finally, they came upon settlements of poor folk who eked out a living tapping rubber trees, but shared what they had with Theodore Roosevelt's crew.

I read this while on vacation in Florida, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The rain has been torrential. It took little imagination to see myself in a dugout with Roosevelt. A great read in any location.

I enjoyed this book of adventure & discovery in the Amazon basin. The events in this story take place less than 100 years ago but what a different world it was then. This story takes place within a year or two of the first people reaching the North & South poles - this is a time of great discovery around the world. Theodore Roosevelt takes one last daring journey in a life that was full of adventure (or in his own words he "had lived the life of 10 men..." ) The journey takes him & his companions on a several month journey down an uncharted river.

Candice Millard does a good job mixing the telling of the story with the background of world events at the time & some interesting details about the people, plants & animals of the Amazon basin. It is amazing how much our world has changed since the events in this story took place. I would recommend this book as a good historical adventure story.

Great book. I read quite a few books of this type and this is one of the best. This is a part of Teddy's life I new nothing about. I'm surprised there hasn't been a movie made from it yet.

A 54 year old ex-president tries to get out of a funk by planning a trip down the Amazon. Then after the planning is done, on an off-hand remark by a travelling companion, he decides to explore an uncharted river filled with flesh eating fish and alligators, controlled by indians, and dotted with rapids. Only Teddy Roosevelt would have considered this and only Teddy would have survived it. With real stories like this, who needs fiction?

A great read for adventure lovers.

A real story, a real adventure, all done by a former President of the United States. Since I slept thru most of my history classes, this book offers great insight into what I've now learned to be one of the greatest men to lead this country.

A very satisfying read and highly recommended.

This is a spectacular book. The author did a fantastic job in bringing together adventure, history and a little bit of science, with a very good narrative and great character development. In fact, it would make a terrific "Indiana Jones-style" movie.

As a Brazilian, I have always admired Candido Rondon as a real life hero, and this book only confirmed my admiration. He was well ahead his time in his view of protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples. As the author recalls, Albert Einstein proposed his name for the Nobel Prize of Peace.

Even in Brazil, very few people know much about the Rondon-Roosevelt expedition. Contrary to my initial assumptions, I learned that Roosevelt's trip to Brazil was not a mere "celebrity safari", but a real scientific expedition with scientific added value. The "River of Doubt" (now called River Roosevelt) in the Amazon basin was uncharted until 1914 and it is as big as the Rhine.

Deep into this book and deep into the account of this harrowing journey, Candice Millard uses these four simple words: "low threshold for discomfort." By this point in the account of Theodore Roosevelt's trek down the river, I wonder if we really can imagine precisely what those conditions felt like. I wonder if we can transport ourselves to that moment. This is a compelling book. What's missing? Nothing. If you read a few complaints in other reviews posted here about detours to discuss interesting aspects about the Amazon, disregard. These are all relevant, and relatively brief, passages that have a direct bearing on the environment and context of this trip. Millard does a fabulous job of interweaving details of nature and all its dangers with the account of the trip itself, which is harrowing (to put it mildly) and challenging to the core. This book makes you wonder about the essential character of man and how individuals can rise up even in the darkest hour.

In 1912, after being defeated as a third-party candidate for president, Theodore Roosevelt was deeply depressed and out of a job. He conceived the notion of going to the Amazon jungle to help map an unknown frontier river. What happened there would test Roosevelt and the men of his expedition to their limits and even bring Teddy to the brink of suicide.

This is a great book that includes history, biography, natural science, and incredible human drama. I had heard of Roosevelt's adventures as an outdoorsman but had no idea that he had attempted such important contributions to science or that he had endured such an incredible ordeal. This book is full of compelling characters, such as Roosevelt, his son Kermit, and Candido Rondon, a brave and brilliant Brazilian explorer. I was amazed to learn so much about the rain forest and the beautiful but harsh environment, and the Indians that lived there and stalked every move the expedition made. All this, along with murder and pirahnas too.

The verdict: Read this book.

Reviewer: Liz Clare, co-author of To the Ends of the Earth: The Last Journey of Lewis and Clark

I generally don't read nonfiction as I can hardly stay awake when I do. But The River of Doubt was not consigned to my bedside stand as a sleeping pill equivalent. What an excellent mix of adventure, history, anthropology, geography, biology, and medicine, all so vivid I felt I was side by side with TR in a leaky canoe in the oppressive heat of the Amazon jungle. I'd have a supply of Malarone in hand, however, plus yards of mosquito netting. Stand aside Survivor, Teddy Roosevelt has been there, done that, a thousand times over.

Great book, couldn't put it down. Just one observation, why would an author with such good knowledge on Brazil and the Amazon reagion chooses to spell the city of Manaus as Manaos? As a Brazilian I find that strange.

This remarkable story tells of how Theodore Roosevelt led an expedition down one of the mightiest Amazon tributaries, and lived to tell about it. Candice Millard does a fantastic job of making her readers feel as if they are actually accompanying Roosevelt and his party as they descend into the Amazonian rain forest. Her book is a fabulous account of human courage and survival, as well as a tale about the power of nature. For those of us who live comfortably in the Northern Hemisphere, it is easy to forget how vast, diverse, and deadly tropical rain forests can be. Millard brings this vicious environment to life. [...]

TR must have been one of toughest men ever to live in the White House. Until you read books like this you really do not know a person. Very interesting!!

Several months ago I highlighted Endurance. (www.hungerisgood.blogspot.com) It was an epic battle of man against nature. At the time, Brad suggested I read The River of Doubt, by Candice Millard. It is a riveting story centering around Theodore Roosevelt's journey down an unexplored river through the Amazon jungles of Brazil in 1914. The expedition was led by Candido Mariano da Salva Rondon, one of Brazil's greatest heroes.

You would think that battling the jungle would be stressful enough, but they also had to contend with a murderer in their midst. Roosevelt's description of the piranaha makes me shiver. He writes, "The head with it's short muzzle, staring malignant eyes, and gaping, cruelly armed jaws, is the embodiment of evil ferocity; and the actions of the fish exactly match its looks."

There is another description of a tiny, almost transparent catfish known as the candiru. They are only about an inch long, and survive solely on blood. They feed in the gill chambers of larger fish, and drop off after having eaten their fill. However, they can be lethal to humans in the wrong circumstances. Candice Millard describes the following:

"In this case, however, the victim reported that, just before the attack, he had been standing in a river urinating, but the water had reached only to his upper thighs, and his penis had not even touched the river, much less been submerged in it. The candiru, he claimed, had abruptly leapt out of the water, shimmied up his urine stream, and disappeared into his urethra. He had made a desperate lunge for the fish, but it was too fast and too slippery. The incident occurred in a small town more than a hundred miles from Manaos, and the local doctors had been at a loss to help the man. By the time he was finally moved to Manaos for treatment, he had been unable to urinate for more than a week, and his stomach has become so distended that he looked six months pregnant. The doctor who eventually operated on him was able to successfully remove the candiru--without resorting to amputation."

Roosevelt survived the journey, but just barely. Through the latter part of the journey bacterial infections and malaria made an almost lethal combination. He never completely regained his health, and died just four years later at the age of 60.

This book is primarily a tribute to Roosevelt. He was a man of courage and iron discipline. As a child he was plagued by asthma, but used harsh physical exercise to conquor his weaknesses. He followed this formula for the rest of his life, and after major setbacks or disappointments, would often retreat into great adventures and will himself to prevail.

Like Endurance, this is a study of leadership. Rondon lead this journey, and Roosevelt would defer to his decisions, but sometimes there would be heated exchanges. The two men had great respect for one another, and after returning to the states, Roosevelt called Rondon one of the four most accomplished explorers of his day.

I have purposely not commented on the good parts. Otherwise, why would you want to read it?

I couldn't put down Candice Millard's engaging account of Theodore Roosevelt's journey through a hostile and unexplored region of the Amazon along the treacherous River of Doubt. It is an amazing tail that conveys the horror, adventure and triumph Roosevelt and his fellow explorers must have experienced.

The account is made even more interesting because of the information Millard weaves through her narrative about the river and Amazon, both of which are central characters in this story. Her experience as a writer for the National Geographic is a real plus.

I recommend this book to readers curious about Pres. Roosevelt, South America, exploration in the early 1900s, or who may simply love a story of adventure and triumph. This book would appeal to them all.

Volumes have been written about Theodore Roosevelt the President, soldier, statesman, and adventurer, but none captures the vitality, determination, or the indomitable spirit of this unique American like this thrilling bio/adventure. Former National Geographic writer Millard recounts the story of this South American adventure, the culmination of TR's "strenuous life." This vibrant, suspense-packed tale of risk and discovery would strain credibility if it was fiction, especially that the central character is a 54 year old former president with myriad health problems. This is a gripping narrative of a harrowing journey down a forbidding, uncharted river, the best combination of literary suspense elements, and because it is actual detail from archival sources, it engages the reader so much better than fiction.

The list of hazards encountered by Roosevelt, his son Kermit, co-commander Candido Rondon, and others is almost too long to count: anacondas, piranhas, biting insects, waterfalls, malaria, poor canoes and poorer supplies, and poison-dart wielding cannibals are but the highlights. Col.Rondon is so fascinating, I would read a biography of him alone.

I agree with the reviewer who remarked that there was too much scientific jargon; that slowed the pace for me. It isn't that the information or writing is inaccurate or ponderous. I just think it was unnecessary. I reviewed this book for use in high school classrooms and found it superb. Absolutely necessary for students, this inspiring work is masterful at "emotionally investing" the reader. Unhesitatingly Recommended.

Ms. Millard should be complemented on this her first book. Not only does the story flow (no pun intended) but her side stories and comments add so much to the book itself. One of the problems with writing history based on people's diaries and newspaper stories is the embellishment that everyone has a tendency to add. Millard has done a fine job in commenting, where necessary, that some point made was superfluous or embellished without making it seem that the 'remembrance' was extended to make the writer look better.

The story itself is gripping in the way that one looks at a car accident as you pass it on the highway. Your first thought is, 'thankfully that's not me', but you wonder at how it might have been avoided. Millard does a find job in explaining the situations that led up to the journey and how parts of it suffered because of rash or ignorant decisions beforehand. Much of the journey's problems where related to people trying to do more that they were capable of because they did not wish to let the rest of the group down.

Millard does her best work in describing the dangers of the Amazon
jungle without making it overly dramatic. He explanations as to the difficulties encountered and how some of the could not have been avoided puts the who trip into a better perspective. The honesty of the men
who were on the trip and their loyalty to each other could not be exaggerated. Her detailed descriptions of Rondon, Roosevelt and the other men on the trip, help to heighten our understanding of their need to finish what they had started, no matter the hardship.

When was the last time you can remember having a President with real physical courage? By golly, these 19th century aristocrats had the right stuff. On the surface, this book looks far less interesting than it is, although one can't say why. I suppose it is because one can't easily imagine what an ordeal traveling was in those days. Roosevelt and his son, not to mention the other professionals on the trip, really were heroic. There were also a bunch of weird losers hanging around, but they were given their walking papers early on when the going got tough. This was much more than a trip; it was an expedition in the tradition of Spekes and Stanley. TR was out there in uncharted terrain, camping out in a wilderness filled with poisoned-dart-shooting natives. It is simply mind-boggling that a man his age would have undertaken such an arduous adventure. Of course, whatever his motivation this was rather risky. One gets the impression that he regretted the entire thing in short order. Why he didn't back out is not made entirely clear. The book itself is terrific: well-told, well-researched. There are great illustrations and photos, a top-notch work of history.

This book exceeded my expectations due to its detailed explanation of not only TR's insane trip down a tributary of the Amazon River, but also provided an examination of the plant, animal and human life that existed in the region. The leadership of the expedition, besides TR, were well-rounded and interesting people, flaws and all. The tremendous suffering of those who participated in the journey were described so well that I really don't ever want to experience a trip like that! My undergrad is in anthropology, so I particularly enjoyed reading her descriptions of the culture clashes between the people who lived in the rainforest and the more westernized Brazilians who put up wiring throughout the Amazon. The author's writing style is quite accessible and I read the book fairly quickly due to both the writing style and the high interest in the material. I have even more respect for TR than I did before and I'm a history teacher!

This is an exciting though flawed historical adventure yarn. The story of Teddy Roosevelt's journey down an unexplored and darkly dangerous branch of the Amazon makes for easy and fascinating reading. The entire voyage as well as the extraordinary individuals who accompany him, both American and Brazilian, deserve to be better known. Unfortunately, the story is told with awkward fictionalized and romanticized touches and irrelevant literary excursions. The author often travels beyond the reality of her documented sources, imagining what people were feeling and thinking. Everyone on this hazardous trip was a male and one cannot help but wish that the author were a male as well. Candice Millard brings a disconcertingly feminine perspective to what was a very masculine event.

This book presents an interesting chapter in TR's life, when, after defeat in the 1912 election, he decided to tackle an unmapped tributary of the Amazon.

Positives:
- Genuinely interesting historical event, even for someone who is not a fan of TR or exploration history
- The author excels when she talks about actual events, i.e. follows the narrative
- Well written, not strenuous to read

Negatives:
- The author has issues when she digresses into general topics (e.g. life in the Amazon), including the inexplicable duplication of some descriptions (we understand that species adapt and evolve in the Amazon ... did we really need to cover the topic again for insects after doing so earlier for other species?) ... this does two things: breaks up the flow of the narrative, and comes off as padding, which is unnecessary considering the book comes out to 350+ pages, and with it cut out would still probably be over 300 pages.
- The author also goes a little overboard with trying to set mood. The events themselves effectively capture the mood and environment the travellers faced ... so why embellish? Also, 99.9% of the readers are going to know that TR survives the trip, so there was no need to try to make his debilitating illness suspenseful.

Overall it's a good book and recommended. Probably needed a little more editing but definitely worth a look, especially for a TR/exploration fan.

A well-written, light but thoroughly interesting books that sometimes reads like a novel, but is filled with historical background. A good book worth reading for fans of adventure stories, history, the Amazon and more.

A lifelong devotee of TR. There has been very little even acknowledging TR's nearly fatal trip in the Amazon. Ms. Millard has presented an outstanding work on this aspect of his life.

She has brought the drought of the highlands and darkness of the jungle to life in this book. I was so taken by it that I went through it twice for fear I had missed something of great import.

This book presents all sides of TR, the naturalist, the politician, the reformer and the self-sacrificing idealist. His desire to commit suicide rather than be a burden to the supply strapped expedition is treated with great respect and acknowledges, that TR held himself to the same high standards he expected in others.

I can only say, Ms. Millard, Job Well Done!

This is a superb account of Roosevelt's expedition. It is beautifully written with especially lucid explanations of the Amazon's ecology. Highly recommended.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read. It has plenty of exciting scenerios as well as a decent insight into TR himself. The book does over-state the dangers and illnesses more often than needed. But generally, an interesting and exciting read

One of the most interesting books I have read in a long time. There is so much informatiion here about the Amazon basin, the Amazon jungle, the ecology and the Indians of the area. In addition, the hardships endured by Roosevelt and his group of explorers make one wonder how any of them survived the ordeal.

I read a lot of adventure history. It's rare you find a book as compelling, well-written, and complete as this one. First off, the story selection is superb -- writing about TR's ill-fated trip down the "River of Doubt," an uncharted, unmapped tributary of the Amazon.

Second, the author has a mastery of the subject matter, but more importantly knows how to weave the various facts to create a strong narrative. He is a gifted writer, who tells a thrilling story of discovery and adventure. I also appreciate the two separate inserts of photographs, so the reader can get a fuller picture of the personalities and events involved.

One nit -- not enough maps! This is a pet peeve of mine in books like this, and here, the author provides only two rudimentary maps, one drafted by TR himself. Insets of areas described, in close relation to the location in the book where the areas are important, would assist the reader immensely.

That aside, this is surely one of the best of this genre and an all-around winner. Would make a great gift as well!

Wow! How do you top this? This is something you can sink your teeth into. I recently read a biography of Caesar, and it was like dry milk toast: dates, places, the alignment in battle, etc. Academic. There was no sweat, fear, lice or shivering malarial fever. The River of Doubt sets a new standard for descriptive non-fiction. Candice Millard has created a masterpiece.

I came away really feeling like I knew who Teddy Roosevelt was: his fears, ego, strengths and weaknesses. I felt like I knew every man in the mission: the insipid priest, his son, the amazing Rondon,Cherrie, and their family. And I came away with an amazing sense of what the Jungle was the riotous monotony of the lethal environment, honed by hundreds of thousands of years of predatory selection.

A must read
Pierce Scranton
author, Death on the Learning Curve

What an incredible book, this is one from the moment I started reading I could not put down. BUY THE BOOK you will love it!!!