Dark Trails: Adventures of a Naturalist

by George Kruck Cherrie, Kermit Roosevelt (Introduction)

This book details the exciting adventures of the author, along with Teddy Roosevelt and his son, Kermit. Description of George K. Cherrie's life.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2022

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written circa 1930, this book essentially is a reminiscing of “war stories” by naturalist George Cherrie over his career that began around 1888 and encompassed some 38 sorties into Central and South American jungles. The climax is the telling of his 1914 journey down the River of Doubt with Theodore Roosevelt. This first-hand account is compelling because it is history as told by an eye witness. The story and book itself is charming and I found it to be refreshing to hear the life stories of someone who comes across to me as a real person, not a heroic figure accomplishing superhuman feats. Although I rank it with only 3-stars, this out-of-print and relatively forgotten relic--a book that even smelled old--had a certain resonance that made it a special and very personal read for me.

[Liz Filion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this 1930 version of this book at a bookshop locally- a beautiful vintage book in great condition. It's worth mentioning this book is full of inappropriate things... as in disrespectful names and comments about native americans throughout South America. However, I feel it's important to recognize the book as that and learn from the perspectives of that time... realizing the damage that was done. This was a fascinating book on early exploration and relationships with differing people groups. All I can say is... I'm glad I didn't live at a time when travel and adventure included dysentery, starvation, and concerns over the safety of my life...

[Wickliffe Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great anecdotes by this extraordinary naturalist/gun runner. Unfortunately nowhere near a full autobiography. He undoubtably had his reasons.