Wednesday, February 11that 11:30 am
Our book discussion leader Donna Diamond has chosen River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelts's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard for February's book discussion.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT believed in living 'the Strenuous Life'. His journey down the Amazon River was his darkest, most dangerous and strenuous adventure of all, leading this lover of life to contemplate suicide.After running for president again as the 'Bull Moose Party' candidate, and being defeated in 1912, Theodore Roosevelt set off with his son Kermit and Rondon, the celebrated explorer, to challenge the treacherous River of Doubt,a tributary of the mighty Amazon. As if the rapids of this formidable river were not enough to tackle, he encountered murder, death, snakes, uncharted areas, piranhas, poison, starvation, illness and Amazonian Indian attacks. His worst ordeal was an infection that made him so ill, he asked to be left behind. If not for the extent of his devotion as a father, the master of the 'bully pulpit' would have been lost.
"Roosevelt realized that if he wanted to save his son's life...that if I did end it...Kermit would not get out...there was only one thing for me to do, and that was to come out myself." (p. 280)
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