Through the Brazilian Wilderness
by Theodore Roosevelt
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Theodore Roosevelt's epic hunting adventures and journeys of exploration throughout North America are the stuff of legend, but what some readers may not know is that Roosevelt's insatiable love of adventure also took him to other parts of the world. This thoroughly entertaining account of Roosevelt's travels in Brazil is infused with the author's bold personality..
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An interesting and exciting read from back when US presidents weren’t all wimps. Teddy hasn’t got any Secret Service detachment as he risks life and limb to explore the largely uncharted River of Doubt in Brazil (this was after being president). Roosevelt generally understates the situation as the party undergoes hardship after hardship (drowning, murder, disease, rain, insects, starvation, rapids). There is also a tendency towards repetition.
A bully good read!
A bully good read!
This book is probably the most unique memoir ever written by a former United States President. Through the Brazilian Wilderness is Theodore Roosevelt's account of his travels through South America, including his exploration of a previously uncharted 1000 mile long Amazonian tributary. Teddy treats the reader to various essays on snake venom and anti serum, the trials of hunting ant eaters and jaguars, as well as the dangers of swimming with piranhas. Although its a fun read by itself, it is very enlightening to read it as a companion piece to The River of Doubt by Candice Millard which is a history book focused on the expedition. Millard, writing in hindsight, has access to all of the expedition diaries and has interviewed the show more cannibalistic tribe which Ted and his gang first made contact with. Reading Ted's account makes the expedition sound like a fun but hard adventure. Reading Millard will help the reader understand everything that Ted is leaving out and how very close the whole expedition was to death and disaster. The river that the expedition travels down was literally not even on the map and the fact that they navigated it for 1000 miles without any idea of what was on it is pretty remarkable, especially when you consider that they were very nearly eaten for dinner by the restless natives. The whole situation certainly puts into perspective Roosevelt's gumption and ambition. Imagine if one of our more recent presidents decided after his term was up to go explore, say... the Marianas Trench, simply because it was there. How surreal would that be to see George W. Bush down in a submersible gathering specimens and running his mouth off to the scientists the whole time. Anyway, an interesting read, and if you can pick up one of these old 1920's editions there is some cool leather working on the cover including a gilded giant anteater, plus a huge fold out map of South America. I got mine on-line for under $20. Plus it smells like you would expect a leather bound book from the 1920's to smell like. Intoxicating! show less
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Periodically throughout his extraordinary career, Theodore Roosevelt turned to the writing of history. Energetic about everything he did, he imbued his writing with verve and a strong sense of drama that continues to attract readers today. Born in New York City and educated at Harvard University, he immersed himself in public affairs long before show more he became President of the United States. A man of many talents, he was, among other things, police commissioner, mayoral candidate, rancher, hunter, explorer, soldier, and governor. His strong sense of history probably influenced his actions more times than not, and certainly he brought to the White House in 1901 an awareness of how much the past conditions the present and informs the future. Roosevelt made history, influenced history, and wrote history. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Belongs to Publisher Series
Lakeside Classics (book 114)
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- Canonical title
- Through the Brazilian Wilderness
- Original publication date
- 1914
- People/Characters
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Important places
- Brazil
- Dedication
- To H. E. Lauro Muller, Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Brazil, and to his governmental colleagues and to Colonel Rondon, gallant officer, high-minded gentleman, and intrepid explorer, and to his assistants….our companions ... (show all)in scientific work and in the exploration of the wilderness This Book is inscribed, with esteem, regard, and affection by their friend.
- First words
- One day in 1908, when my presidential term was coming to a close, Father Zahm, a priest whom I knew, came in to call on me…. On the occasion in question Father Zahm had just returned from a trip across the Andes and down th... (show all)e Amazon, and came in to propose that after I left the presidency he and I should go up the Paraguay into the interior of South America.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 280
- Popularity
- 115,847
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- Czech, English, Portuguese
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 64
- UPCs
- 2
- ASINs
- 29
