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The River of Doubt (Abridged): Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey Audiobook
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(4.00) - 10,328 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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 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.
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"This book will not encourage you to take a trip down the Amazon. The fact that Theodore Roosevelt survived this journey is amazing and nothing short of a miracle. I'd rate it 4 and a half stars if I could and would reserve 5 for authors like Michael Ondaatje. Roosevelt was an adventurer, regardless of health issues that should've held him back. You may admire him or find him insane for endangering the lives of so many men, including his own devoted son, but it makes for a damn good yarn and Millard tells it well, with captivating photos to enlighten, even though you will wonder how they, as well as the men on this trip, survived."
— Jodi (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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[A] fine account . . . There are far too many books in which a travel writer follows in the footsteps of his or her hero—and there are far too few books like this, in which an author who has spent time and energy ferreting out material from archival sources weaves it into a gripping tale.
— The Washington Post -
[N]o frills, high-adventure writing . . . Millard’s sober account is as claustrophobic as a walk through the densest jungle, and as full of vigor as Roosevelt himself.
— Entertainment Weekly -
A rich, dramatic tale that ranges from the personal to the literally earth-shaking.
— Janet Maslin, The New York Times -
“A rich, dramatic tale that ranges from the personal to the literally earth-shaking.”
— New York Times -
“A fine account…There are far too many books in which a travel writer follows in the footsteps of his or her hero—and there are far too few books like this, in which an author who has spent time and energy ferreting out material from archival sources weaves it into a gripping tale.”
— Washington Post -
“No frills, high-adventure writing…Millard’s sober account is as claustrophobic as a walk through the densest jungle, and as full of vigor as Roosevelt himself.”
— Entertainment Weekly
Awards
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One of the 2005 New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction
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Selected for the Barnes & Noble Discover Award
The River of Doubt Listener Reviews
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" This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. Roosevelt almost died exploring the amazon river. It was well written and fascinating. "
— Jennifer, 2/13/2014 -
" Incredibly well researched, incredibly well told. "
— Mark, 2/8/2014 -
" This book was hard to get into. I loved reading about Roosevelt, and knew about nothing in regards to this portion of his life. So the informative nature of the book was really good, but as in all things requiring major research and the need to remain factual, it was dry at times. It took me 3 tries to get it read. I am glad I finished it, and had not realized the extent this journey affected his life and death. I also had not realized the delicate nature of the psyches surrounding him in his family, and the strength of Roosevelt's will in all things that were challenges to him. That scientists of the day disputed his accomplishment, considering the technical limitations of the day and the poor preparation for the exploration, was amazing to me. The man was a giant. In all, this book gave me insight into a little talked about portion of Roosevlet's life. To that end, I am glad I persevered in the reading of River of Doubt. "
— Louise, 2/3/2014 -
" I read this. Book a couple of years ago. One of the best true life adventure stories out there. TR is in many ways only a secondary character in this story: his son and the guide who pulls them through the journey are terrific heros. "
— Jay, 1/21/2014 -
" Three and a half stars, downgraded from four simply due to the sheer repetition of certain tidbits. "
— BL834, 1/6/2014 -
" Awesome. I thought Hemingway was a bad-ass. Very inspiring. I wish more of our leaders had this man's grit, courage, and determination. The story itself is very inspiring. How these men survived is a mystery. Must read for anyone who enjoys history and adventure- both are there. "
— Christian, 12/27/2013 -
" slow reading, interesting, covers history like Mitchner. "
— Ilse, 12/23/2013 -
" The oft forgotten tale of Theodore Rex's final great adventure. At 55 after loosing the presidential election of 1912 he undertook a serious scientific expedition into the heart of the Amazon and an area that was totally unmapped and nearly died in the process. "
— Curtis, 12/13/2013 -
" An excellent book that is an easy read. Couldn't put it down. If snakes, parasites, flesh eating fish and oh the Candiru fish. A true story of leadership and brotherhood that crosses nation, ethnicity and culture. "
— Steve, 7/15/2013 -
" though Lincoln did more for the country, Teddy remains my favorite "
— Stephen, 2/2/2013 -
" Interesting - makes me want to see the Amazon region. Loved discovering that Theodore Roosevelt had a some named Kermit. All their trials during the journey were depressing. "
— Lindapoulsom, 9/27/2012 -
" Wow. This is an amazing story of real adventure. "
— Mark, 9/16/2012 -
" Candice Millard is simply the best writer of history alive today "
— Elmrock, 7/5/2012 -
" One of my all-time favs. Love the descriptions. Love that it's true! "
— Tommie, 3/20/2012 -
" I intend to make Teddy Roosevelt my historical boyfriend. (But I won't be going on any excursions with him.) "
— Christine, 8/12/2011 -
" Tedious at times with details about the flora and fauna of the area, but a truly unbelievable and yet real adventure. Something a current ex-pres would never do today. "
— Allison, 7/28/2011 -
" They don’t build men like Roosevelt anymore. This is an enthralling book about his life and his adventure down the Amazon. I spent every heart pounding moment anxiously debating if the precocious, ambitious and overwhelmingly ignorant crew would all die on their impromptu exploration. <br/> "
— Michael, 6/18/2011 -
" amazing story. writing was a little heavy, repetitive. "
— Carol, 6/12/2011 -
" Thrilling, edge-of-the-seat suspense, all true, all meticulously researched. Reads lie a fabulous adventure novel. "
— Dalerondaburg, 6/12/2011 -
" The River of Doubt is a tremendous account of survival and physical endurance. It was a true inspiration. "
— Bill, 5/26/2011 -
" What a great read. In looking at the list of books on the search, I see that TR wrote a book about it. Got to read that. "
— Jack, 5/26/2011 -
" An exciting adventure story and a biography of Theodore Roosevelt's exploration of the River of Doubt. It gave fascinating information about the center of Brazil, the Amazon river, the rain forest, the inhabitants of the area. It was an engrossing learning experience to read this "
— Gloria, 5/19/2011
About Candice Millard
Candice Millard is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The River of Doubt, Destiny of the Republic, and Hero of the Empire. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, Time, the Washington Post, and the New York Times Book Review.
About Richard Ferrone
Richard Ferrone recorded over 150 audiobooks including thrillers, romances, science fiction, and inspirational novels. He won the prestigious Audie Award and was a finalist for four Audie Awards, including for Best Solo Male Narrator. He was named an AudioFile "Voice of the Last Century" and a "Rising and Shining Star." He earned many AudioFile Earphones Awards, including being named the 2011 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense as well as the 2009 Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. A science fiction fan, he narrated Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy. He also narrated works by James Patterson, Walter Mosley, John Sandford, Eric Van Lustbader, and Stuart Woods.