Friday, September 14, 2012

River of Doubt


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History was always my least favorite subject in school. I was lucky if my brain could retain all those names, dates and places just long enough to pass a test. Math, science, foreign languages. Now those were subjects that interested me. Solve a problem, translate a paragraph, something concrete that had some relevance to the real world. If a reporter stopped me for one of those “idiot on the street” questions, like, when did the War of 1812 take place, I would probably stand there with a blank look on my face.

So now that I have more time to read, and greater access to a variety of books for our e-readers, I have been on the lookout for some interesting history books. After trying to slog through a biography of Theodore Roosevelt, I wanted to read more about him, something less dry and “historical”. 

Jim managed to find the perfect book, The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey, by Candice Millard. After his defeat in the 1912 Presidential election, Roosevelt decided to take a scientific expedition in the Amazon along a well-known route. After arriving in South America, he changed plans and ended up on a journey into the unknown, along a 1000 mile previously unexplored tributary of the Amazon River.

This book reads like an adventure novel, with the expedition party experiencing almost constant rain, heat, rapids, starvation, disease, injury, death, piranhas, snakes, insects, unfriendly natives, isolation, you name it. And after a certain point there was no turning back.

I won’t tell any more of the story, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering how or if they will ever make it out of there alive. Teddy Roosevelt was certainly an impressive man.

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Roosevelt and Co-Commander Rondon in photo. Roosevelt lost about 25% of his body weight on the trip.

I am now looking forward to reading another book by Candice Millard, Destination of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President, about James Garfield, a President I know virtually nothing about. I’ll let you know what I think.

And I would love to get some recommendations for other interesting history books. Maybe that will help change my mind about the subject.

14 comments:

  1. Hi Gayle! I read that book years ago and it remains one of my all time favorite adventure books. A couple of other suggestions: The Long Walk by Rawicz and of cours the book Endurance by Shackleton. Cheers, Maureen

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  2. I also enjoy history but prefer mine in the form of well researched historical novels. Jeff Shaara is one of the best around. I've read everything he's written.

    http://www.jeffshaara.com/

    His Civil War trilogy was especially fascinating. The St. Lucie County public library has digital books you can check out, for free, and read on your Kindle. I suspect other libraries do as well.
    Enjoy your travels:
    Ed

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  3. Thanks for the recommendation of the two books. I LOVE to read about history. Just wrote them down. I will be looking for them at the libraries at our future campgrounds.

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  4. I very much enjoyed "River of Doubt" when I read it a few years ago. It was fascinating.

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  5. He wasn't a president, but if you want a Five Star edge-of-your-seat, first person diary account of John Wesley Powell's trip through the Grand Canyon via Green and Colorado rivers, then read "Down The Colorado." A book of triumph and tragedy, it will keep you spellbound... a one armed man climbing cliffs and navigating rapids.
    Box Canyon Mark


    http://www.amazon.com/Down-Colorado-Diary-Through-Canyon/dp/0883940124/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347716449&sr=1-10&keywords=John+Wesley+Powell

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  6. Mark,

    We did read an account of that trip but don't remember who wrote it. It was an amazing story. So far I still have 4 limbs and couldn't do what he did.

    Jim

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  7. Two books come to mind and both by Stephen Ambrose. "Undaunted Courage" is about the Lewis and Clarke Expedition to the Pacific Ocean and the other is "Nothing Like It In The World" about the men who built the Transcontinental Railroad.

    Both will keep you spell bound.

    History was not my favorite subject either when I was in high school. I did not really start enjoying it until I took it in college. Now I absolutely love it.

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  8. 'Unbroken' by HillenbranD is by far one of my favorite books. The story is true and inspiring. Plus, the subject of the book is still alive and well today.

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  9. At age 62 I have discovered that History is very interesting. "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose is one of my favorites too. I just finished "American Sphinx" by Joseph Ellis, about Thomas Jefferson and really enjoyed it. I'm now reading the autobiography of Theodore Roosevelt. Thanks to you all for some interesting books to put on my list.

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  10. I will be on the lookout for this book, thanks. I would also suggest anything by Steven Ambrose, and since you are a fan of New Mexico, you might want to pick up Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides, about Kit Carson.

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  11. I have read both "Endurance" and "The Long Walk". Both are great, but "The Long Walk" is beyond belief.

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  12. Hello, in a search on the expedition Roosevelt found your blog. Interesting, because I live near where Roosevelt went on his expedition -'m Brazilian - and I am glad you commented on this. But I noticed an error, the co-captain was not called "Condon", but "Rondon". Ok? I hope I'm not being annoying, but just a little mistake, the story is fascinating and the book too!
    Sincerely.

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  13. Hello, in a search on the expedition Roosevelt found your blog. Interesting, because I live near where Roosevelt went on his expedition -'m Brazilian - and I am glad you commented on this. But I noticed an error, the co-captain was not called "Condon", but "Rondon". Ok? I hope I'm not being annoying, but just a little mistake, the story is fascinating and the book too!
    Sincerely.

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  14. Thays, thanks for the correction.

    Jim

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