Candice Millard - The River of Doubt

This book---a travel book, a book of adventure, but most of all a book about the feat of one man, Theodore Roosevelt, and his son Kermit and friends---is one of the best books I've ever read.
It is a gripping and powerful story of how TR led an expedition down a Brazilian river called The River of Doubt, a river that had never been explored, a river that some geographers doubted even existed, in 1914.

Theodore Roosevelt dealt with disappointment and tragedy in his life by embarking on sheer physical exertion---pushing his body to extreme physical limits. He embarked on this journey after losing his race for the Presidency in 1912.

The journey was successful, but took its toll on everyone involved. TR was pushed to the point of death, even to the point of suicide. There is no doubt that this adventure led to his early death in 1919.

The author is both a nature writer and an historian. You think YOU are on that river as you read the narrative.

This is a great story, a well-written book, and a compelling work.