"The River of Doubt"
Man - I just got through reading this book - "the river of Doubt" by Candice Millard.
This is one of the best books I've read in a while.
It's a true story of human willpower, grit, determination, perseverance, courage, the ability to suffer, desire to explore uncharted regions, discovery, and human relationships. (along the lines of "Undaunted Courage")
This expedition (during the golden exploration days of the late 1800s/ early 1900s) has the most interesting people. From the Brazilian leader, the common laborers, an ex-president, and all the others that made this journey - these people are utterly amazing.
The writing is first rate - the author obviously did a ton of research and was able to interweave the Amazon rain forest and all it's creatures/people and make it part of the story.
I'm in awe of the men of this era - they were so disciplined, well read, wrote beautifully, endured terrible hardships and were required to do incredible physical feats on very little food. And to think these people did a journey like this in the days before Gore-Tex, wicking clothes, lightweight waterproof gear and all the other high tech gadgets we have today. (i'll have to remember this when i get whiny/grumpy when i start to bonk...)
I never knew (or remembered) much about Theodore Roosevelt. I definitely was impressed with everyone on this expedition - esp. his son, Kermit. The Epilogue documented surprising information as it followed the expedition members to end of their lives.
a very inspirational book.
This is one of the best books I've read in a while.
It's a true story of human willpower, grit, determination, perseverance, courage, the ability to suffer, desire to explore uncharted regions, discovery, and human relationships. (along the lines of "Undaunted Courage")
This expedition (during the golden exploration days of the late 1800s/ early 1900s) has the most interesting people. From the Brazilian leader, the common laborers, an ex-president, and all the others that made this journey - these people are utterly amazing.
The writing is first rate - the author obviously did a ton of research and was able to interweave the Amazon rain forest and all it's creatures/people and make it part of the story.
I'm in awe of the men of this era - they were so disciplined, well read, wrote beautifully, endured terrible hardships and were required to do incredible physical feats on very little food. And to think these people did a journey like this in the days before Gore-Tex, wicking clothes, lightweight waterproof gear and all the other high tech gadgets we have today. (i'll have to remember this when i get whiny/grumpy when i start to bonk...)
I never knew (or remembered) much about Theodore Roosevelt. I definitely was impressed with everyone on this expedition - esp. his son, Kermit. The Epilogue documented surprising information as it followed the expedition members to end of their lives.
a very inspirational book.
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