A reading club with a view to the future

033 Candice Millard: The River of Doubt

The book tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s perilous expedition through the Amazon rainforest, which nearly cost him his life and led to the formation of a new Brazilian state.

Duration: 12 hours
17 minutes
Read on Audible
Previous book
Next book
Candice Millard: The River of Doubt

Summary

In 1913, after losing his bid for a third term as president, Theodore Roosevelt embarked on an ambitious and dangerous journey into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. The expedition, which included his son Kermit, was aimed at mapping the uncharted River of Doubt and making scientific discoveries. The journey was plagued by dangerous rapids, disease, and hostile indigenous tribes. Theodore Roosevelt nearly died several times and his health never fully recovered. Despite the dangers, the expedition was ultimately successful, and the river was renamed Rio Roosevelt. The journey also led to the formation of a new Brazilian state, which was named after Theodore Roosevelt.

About

Title: The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

Author: Candice Millard

Publishing year: 2005

Publisher: Doubleday

Length in hours: 12 hours and 17 minutes

5 main ideas

  1. Theodore Roosevelt's expedition to the Amazon rainforest was an incredibly dangerous and challenging journey.
  2. The journey nearly cost Roosevelt his life and led to lasting health problems.
  3. The expedition was successful in mapping the River of Doubt and making scientific discoveries.
  4. The journey led to the formation of a new Brazilian state, which was named after Theodore Roosevelt.
  5. The River of Doubt was renamed Rio Roosevelt in honor of Theodore Roosevelt.
Candice Millard: The River of Doubt

5 funny quotes

  1. "When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice." - Otto von Bismarck
  2. "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." - Winston Churchill
  3. "I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying." - Oscar Wilde
  4. "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain
  5. "I can resist everything except temptation." - Oscar Wilde

5 thought-provoking quotes​

  1. "I do not believe there was ever any life more attractive to a vigorous young fellow than life on a cattle ranch in those days. It was a fine, healthy life, too; it taught a man self-reliance, hardihood, and the value of instant decision." - Theodore Roosevelt
  2. "There is not a man of us who does not at times need a helping hand to be stretched out to him, and then shame upon him who will not stretch out the helping hand to his brother." - Theodore Roosevelt
  3. "But a sane person will always remember how much he has not seen, and will be constantly seeking new vistas." - Theodore Roosevelt
  4. "The object of government is the welfare of the people. The material progress and prosperity of a nation are desirable chiefly so long as they lead to the moral and material welfare of all good citizens." - Theodore Roosevelt
  5. "I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately triumph than to triumph in a cause that will ultimately fail." - Theodore Roosevelt

5 dilemmas

  1. The expedition faced many dangers and obstacles, including hostile indigenous tribes, disease, starvation, and the treacherous Amazon River. The team had to navigate these challenges while also conducting scientific research and mapping the region.
  2. Roosevelt and his team were criticized for being ill-prepared for the expedition and not taking proper safety precautions, leading to the deaths of several members of the team.
  3. The expedition encountered a previously undiscovered river, which they named the River of Doubt. The river proved to be extremely dangerous and difficult to navigate, adding to the team's already significant challenges.
  4. The indigenous tribes they encountered were suspicious and sometimes hostile, as they had been mistreated and exploited by previous explorers and settlers. The team had to find a way to communicate with them and gain their trust.
  5. Roosevelt suffered a serious leg injury during the expedition and had to be carried for much of the journey. This added to the physical and emotional strain on the team and created additional challenges in navigating the dangerous terrain.

5 examples

  1. Theodore Roosevelt, former President of the United States, who embarked on a dangerous expedition to the Amazon rainforest with a team of explorers and naturalists in 1913.
  2. Colonel Candido Rondon, a Brazilian explorer and military officer who accompanied Roosevelt on the expedition.
  3. Colonel Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, a Brazilian explorer and advocate for the indigenous populations of Brazil.
  4. Kermit Roosevelt, Theodore's son, who accompanied him on the expedition and later wrote about it in his book "War in the Garden of Eden."
  5. George Cherrie, an American naturalist who was part of Roosevelt's team on the expedition.

Referenced books

  1. "Theodore Rex" by Edmund Morris
  2. "The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey" by Theodore Roosevelt
  3. "The River of Doubt: A Thrilling Adventure Story of Theodore Roosevelt's Trip Down the Brazilian River of Death" by Candice Millard (the author's own book, which expands on the events of "The River of Doubt")

Share a quote

"I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately triumph than to triumph in a cause that will ultimately fail."

Candice Millard: The River of Doubt

Curated audiobooks for your lifelong learning and inspiration.

Become a NextBook Insider

Join our community to access exclusive content, comment on stories, participate in giveaways, and more.

Close