River of Doubt

by Martin Copeland

River of Doubt is inspired by a true story. The time is February 1914. An expedition heads down an unknown river in the heart of Brazil's Amazon. The ex-US President THEODORE ROOSEVELT, still a "Bull Moose" at 54, a man of seemingly unquenchable strength and character impervious to doubt; and COLONEL CANDIDO RONDON, Brazil's greatest explorer, renowned for having never failed on a expedition. Also along are KERMIT ROOSEVELT, Roosevelt's 24-year-old son, called Bwana Dandy for his expensive taste in clothes and elegant manners and speech; GEORGE K. CHERRIE, a New England naturalist; and Rondon's lieutenant LYRA, a fiery and impulsive man who resents the presence of the Roosevelts. None suspect what trials and dangers await them on the newly christened "River of Doubt." Some will not survive. Some will be changed forever. And others will be haunted for the rest of their lives.

Genres: Nonfiction

188 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Trevor VanRoekel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this by mistake. I meant to purchase the book THE River of Doubt. I didn’t realize this was a fictionalization screen play of historical events in the Amazon. This was fun enough for a quick read though. Oops/10.

[Steve Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great view into what the world was like a long time ago. Reads like a novel, super interesting.

[Lisa Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, really unbelievable what they had to go through on their journey.

[Mollie Maclean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. Four stars for what I learned and what this book put me through. I felt as if I had searched this river with Roosevelt and his group-giving new meaning to the word portage. The Amazon area is not the Boundary Waters! There was a lot of detail that I really loved learning (like the discovery of rubber) and then some that I just wanted to get through so I could get the group (or what was left of them to civilization). Thanks Marie for recommending this book.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story of Teddy Roosevelt's trip down this river in extremely primitive conditions. This man was a true adventurer and the description of the trip was like experiencing it first hand. I highly recommend it!