Although I'm probably one of the least adventureous guys around, - no motorcycle riding or downhill skiing for me - I really enjoyed reading "The River of Doubt, Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey" by Candice Millard. Published in 2005, it's about 350 pages in my paperback edition from Anchor Books. I never heard of Candice Millard, a former writer and editor for National Geographic, and I got two of her books for Christmas. The other is a book with the intriguing title of "Destiny of the Republic, A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President". I love alliteration. Maybe more on the three M's book at a later date. I haven't read it yet.
Back to the River. Teddy had recently lost his attempt to win back the Presidency as a progressive against the incumbent republican, his hand picked protege William Howard Taft, and the democratic challenger Woodrow Wilson. Former Dakota rancher and Rough Rider, TR craved adventure. He was not a man built for retirement, staying home with the wife and doting on grandchildren.
This tale of Teddy's trip to the Amazon rainforest region of South America began in 1913. TR, 55 at the time, was accompanied by son Kermit. The expedition leader, Candido Rondon, was Brazil's most famous explorer. The 5'3" Rondon hoped to map the River of Doubt, a rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon. There were a few obstacles: piranhas, snakes, deadly insects, hostile natives and raging rivers, heat and heavy rain, just to name a few things that reduced the men to near starvation and for TR, a life threatening illness as well. We get some insight into TR's character, as well as Kermit's, Rondon's and others, through Millard's description of how they handled their adversity. "River of Doubt" is a great read. But don't take my word for it. Read the many reviews on-line.
The edition of the book I have included 8 pages of photos of TR, Kermit, Rondon, etc. They appeared between pages 178 and 179. The same photos appeared in reverse order between pages 226 and 227. It appears that different photos were meant to be included in the second group since the credits listed on page 408 mention 16 pages of photos and their source. I'll have to check out the hard cover edition in my local library to see the other photos.
Other books I've read by or about TR:
"Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail" - Theodore Roosevelt (originally published in 1888, it covers the years 1884 - 1886 in the Dakota territory.)
"TR, The Last Romantic" - H.W. Brands (full bio of TR published in 1997)
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