River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile
- Downloads：7212
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-06-16 10:19:36
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Candice Millard
- ISBN：0593607813
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
From the New York Times bestselling author of River of Doubt and Destiny of the Republic， the stirring story of one of the great feats of exploration of all time， and its complicated legacy
For millennia the location of the Nile River's headwaters was shrouded in mystery。 In the 19th century， there was a frenzy of interest in ancient Egypt。 At the same time， European powers sent off waves of explorations intended to map the unknown corners of the globe - and extend their colonial empires。
Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke were sent by the Royal Geographical Society to claim the prize for England。 Burton spoke twenty-nine languages， and was a decorated soldier。 He was also mercurial， subtle， and an iconoclastic atheist。 Speke was a young aristocrat and Army officer determined to make his mark， passionate about hunting， Burton's opposite in temperament and beliefs。
From the start the two men clashed。 They would endure tremendous hardships， illness， and constant setbacks。 Two years in， deep in the African interior， Burton became too sick to press on， but Speke did， and claimed he found the source in a great lake that he christened Lake Victoria。 When they returned to England， Speke rushed to take credit， disparaging Burton。 Burton disputed his claim， and Speke launched another expedition to Africa to prove it。 The two became venomous enemies， with the public siding with the more charismatic Burton， to Speke's great envy。 The day before they were to publicly debate， Speke shot himself。
Yet there was a third man on both expeditions， his name obscured by imperial annals， whose exploits were even more extraordinary。 This was Sidi Mubarak Bombay， who was enslaved and shipped from his home village in East Africa to India。 When the man who purchased him died， he made his way into the local Sultan's army， and eventually traveled back to Africa， where he used his resourcefulness， linguistic prowess and raw courage to forge a living as a guide。 Without Bombay and men like him， who led， carried， and protected the expedition， neither Englishman would have come close to the headwaters of the Nile， or perhaps even survived。
In River of the Gods Candice Millard has written another peerless story of courage and adventure， set against the backdrop of the race to exploit Africa by the colonial powers。
For millennia the location of the Nile River's headwaters was shrouded in mystery。 In the 19th century， there was a frenzy of interest in ancient Egypt。 At the same time， European powers sent off waves of explorations intended to map the unknown corners of the globe - and extend their colonial empires。
Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke were sent by the Royal Geographical Society to claim the prize for England。 Burton spoke twenty-nine languages， and was a decorated soldier。 He was also mercurial， subtle， and an iconoclastic atheist。 Speke was a young aristocrat and Army officer determined to make his mark， passionate about hunting， Burton's opposite in temperament and beliefs。
From the start the two men clashed。 They would endure tremendous hardships， illness， and constant setbacks。 Two years in， deep in the African interior， Burton became too sick to press on， but Speke did， and claimed he found the source in a great lake that he christened Lake Victoria。 When they returned to England， Speke rushed to take credit， disparaging Burton。 Burton disputed his claim， and Speke launched another expedition to Africa to prove it。 The two became venomous enemies， with the public siding with the more charismatic Burton， to Speke's great envy。 The day before they were to publicly debate， Speke shot himself。
Yet there was a third man on both expeditions， his name obscured by imperial annals， whose exploits were even more extraordinary。 This was Sidi Mubarak Bombay， who was enslaved and shipped from his home village in East Africa to India。 When the man who purchased him died， he made his way into the local Sultan's army， and eventually traveled back to Africa， where he used his resourcefulness， linguistic prowess and raw courage to forge a living as a guide。 Without Bombay and men like him， who led， carried， and protected the expedition， neither Englishman would have come close to the headwaters of the Nile， or perhaps even survived。
In River of the Gods Candice Millard has written another peerless story of courage and adventure， set against the backdrop of the race to exploit Africa by the colonial powers。
Reviews
Ashley
，
I am generally not a big fan of non fiction， this is written more like a narrative than a dry tome of facts。 As such， it really brings these people to life and makes them relatable， and feels so much more real。 I need all historical non fiction books to be written this way asap。
Katie
，
Fascinating story of the British men who competed to find the beginning of the White Nile for the European world。 Due to colonial attitudes， nothing existed until they "discovered" it。 So sad， what we did to this wonderful continent， after we can to it。 Fascinating story of the British men who competed to find the beginning of the White Nile for the European world。 Due to colonial attitudes， nothing existed until they "discovered" it。 So sad， what we did to this wonderful continent， after we can to it。 。。。more
Sean Meagher
，
This book was another excellent volume from Candice Millard， who’s abilities to find the adventure in true historical events continues to thrill。 Here we meet Sir Richard Burton， who may have been the most interesting man in the world。 Burton knew 29 languages， was a world explorer， snuck into Mecca under disguise， and made his money by translating history’s various erotic texts。 On his grand expedition to find the source of the Nile， he is a joined by John Speke， an upper class adventurer who B This book was another excellent volume from Candice Millard， who’s abilities to find the adventure in true historical events continues to thrill。 Here we meet Sir Richard Burton， who may have been the most interesting man in the world。 Burton knew 29 languages， was a world explorer， snuck into Mecca under disguise， and made his money by translating history’s various erotic texts。 On his grand expedition to find the source of the Nile， he is a joined by John Speke， an upper class adventurer who Burton saw as more interested in big game hunting than discovery or sociology。 The bulk of the story involves their quest， where they are constantly at odds， and Burton eventually gets gravely ill。 Unable to continue the journey， Speke makes the great discovery himself and the two continue a lifelong feud。 History largely has forgotten Speke， as his personal biography is much less appealing than the unendingly compelling Burton， who remains a legendary figure to this day。 Along the way， there are other interesting side stories， such as the young lady Isabel who yearns to be an adventurer but must settle for being the wife of Richard Burton， and an African explorer named Bombay， who’s exploits on the Nile journey were lauded by both Burton and Speke， but who was largely written out of the story at the time。 Overall， another compelling and engrossing work from this modern day master of the form。 。。。more
Debbi
，
Maybe 4。5 stars it want my favorite book by Millard but it was interesting。 I read it as part of the Sharon Says So book club。 Learned a lot， just maybe I wasn’t in the mood for it， I didn’t love， LOVE it， that’s all。
Peter Marchese
，
Very detailed account-maybe too detailed。 But the story is fascinating - to me， much like the Shackleton book Endurance about Antarctica exploration a century later。
Robert Johnson
，
I am a big fan of Candice Millard’s books。 I have read them all and just finished her latest book， “River of the God’s” and found it compelling， wonderfully informative and very well written。 I highly recommend all of her books。
Chris
，
Nothing new here but what a writer and storyteller Candice Millard is。 Burton and Speke were a volatile duo。 Speke’s ego， hubris， and indifference towards the world around him were troubling。 Considering all the suffering they endured and their mutual caregiving and near death experiences from disease and fevers you would have thought they would have been tight。 Millard shone a light on the man who guided them， Sidi Mubarak Bombay。 Now that’s a man who deserves a book about him。
Kristen Lammons
，
Honestly， a boring audiobook narrator。 The story wasn’t quite as gripping as I wanted it to be。 It’s thoroughly researched and very detailed but I wanted more of the narrative aspect to shine through。
Alison
，
This was a fascinating read。 I didn’t know anything about either Burton or Speke before reading this。 Speke was a jerkity jerk and Burton was kind of a weirdo。 Bombay is the best of the bunch and I wish that more credit was given to him in his day so we’d know more about him now。
Jessica - How Jessica Reads
，
This was a sloooooow starter。 Part One dragged so badly I almost DNFed。 But then it picked up a bit。By far the problem was， however， that the two main men （Burton and Speke） were both largely unsympathetic。 Isabel Burton was the most interesting character by far。 I want a bio of her！
Roblee
，
Beautifully written， impeccably researched。 Two explorers， completely committed， yet politics， personal animosities and deathly illnesses take a toll on their journeys。。
Ben Vore
，
This didn’t capture my imagination like The River of Doubt did， mostly because I didn’t get a clear sense of place here the way ROD so skillfully captured the Amazon。 That said， there is a gruesome description of a beetle tunneling into someone’s ear canal。 （FWIW， Destiny of the Republic remains Millard’s best book。）
Scott Martin
，
（Audiobook） Found this one a bit more engaging than it thought it would be。 While it focuses on the British quest to discover the source of the Nile （White Nile）， the real story surrounds the personalities of the key explorers/rivals。 Burton vs。 Speke dominates this work， as the once partners turned rivals did much to drive British adventurism/discovery in Sub-Saharan Africa。 Using various guides， they eventually work their way into Central Africa to find what they are looking for， but they stir （Audiobook） Found this one a bit more engaging than it thought it would be。 While it focuses on the British quest to discover the source of the Nile （White Nile）， the real story surrounds the personalities of the key explorers/rivals。 Burton vs。 Speke dominates this work， as the once partners turned rivals did much to drive British adventurism/discovery in Sub-Saharan Africa。 Using various guides， they eventually work their way into Central Africa to find what they are looking for， but they stir up much animosity and drama。 That is probably the bigger tale than the actual travels in the jungles。 Millard does not shy away from viewing their actions through a 21st century lens。 Yet， when she does the analysis of the 19th century actions， she tries to tell the tale without too much projection。 It is in the intro and conclusion that she noted the faults， especially Speke’s ideas on various ethnic groups that had horrifying consequences a century after the fact。 There was good and ill with their adventures。 At least Millard does not ignore the significant contributions of the non-whites who did much to make this happen。A better than expected read， and one that was worth the time to do so。 。。。more
peter lang
，
Great bookIf you ever saw the film Mountains Of The Moon （1980） you will love this book。 Richard Burton was one of the most fascinating men of his time。
Tom Johnson
，
"Four" instead of "Five" just because the two white guys were both such jerks。 Good reading， though it left a bad taste。 Bombay was the hero; had the book featured him instead of Burton or Speke it would have been uplifting and earned a "Five" methinks。 From page 19， "The more I （Burton） study religion， the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anyone but himself。" I've always felt that man has forever created his gods in man's own image。 Angry， vengeful， jealous （and yet the Sermon on t "Four" instead of "Five" just because the two white guys were both such jerks。 Good reading， though it left a bad taste。 Bombay was the hero; had the book featured him instead of Burton or Speke it would have been uplifting and earned a "Five" methinks。 From page 19， "The more I （Burton） study religion， the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anyone but himself。" I've always felt that man has forever created his gods in man's own image。 Angry， vengeful， jealous （and yet the Sermon on the Mount？）。 Later， Burton's wife Isabel has her usual tiff with her mom， Eliza， a true X-tian Victorian tight-ass。 Eliza despised Burton because， "that Richard was not a X-tian， AND HAD NO MONEY"。 Wow， spoken as a true follower of X， money uber alles。 What did X say about a rich man and a camel？ I guess X was just joshing。Petherick was a good guy， relatively。 The Victorians were sure hell on God's creation， certainly in regards to wildlife。Included an interesting discussion on polygenism and monogenism。 Not to mention the sons of Abraham explaining the races and why one race is superior to another - because God， that's why。 And， God damnit， be careful lest an angry God smites thee。 This is known as the Hamitic Myth。 The book closes with the dead Richard Burton's tearful fearful wife burning his greatest literary achievement， one page at a time; saving God only knows how many souls。 。。。more
Sarah
，
Richard burton and John Speke had an amazingly complicated relationship。 I loved the history behind the expedition that found the first recorded source of the Nile。 It was fascinating to read such a riveting tale that wasn’t fiction！ Millard wrote a great book with a lot of detail。 Sometimes it was hard to dive in because it was so informational， but it was a really cool and fascinating read。
Kari Gutierrez
，
3。5 🌟 📚 I read this for the Governerd summer reading club。 It was an interesting and well researched book about the quest to discover the origin of the Nile。 However I did not like either of the explorers Branson or Speke which made it hard for me to really get in to。 I did enjoy learning about Bombay the freed slave companion。 Over all while a good book， it just wasn't a book meant for me。 3。5 🌟 📚 I read this for the Governerd summer reading club。 It was an interesting and well researched book about the quest to discover the origin of the Nile。 However I did not like either of the explorers Branson or Speke which made it hard for me to really get in to。 I did enjoy learning about Bombay the freed slave companion。 Over all while a good book， it just wasn't a book meant for me。 。。。more
Amy
，
3。5 stars。 It was interesting and I learned some new things though I can't say it measures up to the other books Millard has written in terms of enjoyment。 I was reading this book with another person who loved it though， so maybe it's a question of subject matter for me。 3。5 stars。 It was interesting and I learned some new things though I can't say it measures up to the other books Millard has written in terms of enjoyment。 I was reading this book with another person who loved it though， so maybe it's a question of subject matter for me。 。。。more
Maria
，
It's always a joy to learn of a new Candice Millard historical non-fiction book！ This time Millard explores the quest（s） to discover the source of the Nile River in Africa， introducing us to two very different yet equally ambitious men: Richard Burton and Jack Speke。 What I enjoy most about Millard's books are the secondary figures in the lives of the main characters， especially Bombay， a beloved guide whose own history is harrowing yet inspiring and Burton's determined， devoted， and devout Cath It's always a joy to learn of a new Candice Millard historical non-fiction book！ This time Millard explores the quest（s） to discover the source of the Nile River in Africa， introducing us to two very different yet equally ambitious men: Richard Burton and Jack Speke。 What I enjoy most about Millard's books are the secondary figures in the lives of the main characters， especially Bombay， a beloved guide whose own history is harrowing yet inspiring and Burton's determined， devoted， and devout Catholic wife， Isabel。 Another possible winner for a future book discussion。 If you love Erik Larson you must read Millard！ 。。。more
Vickie
，
Tried to read it。 So boring。 I'll try again another time。 Tried to read it。 So boring。 I'll try again another time。 。。。more
Meghan
，
3。5 stars。This wasn't a bad book。。。it was just that I realized about halfway through the book， that this wasn't something I was terribly interested in。 It's not that the title and description don't live up to the hype （I mean it doesn't super duper live up to it， but that wasn't the main issue）。 I didn't realize （which I should have） that white men going to try to find the source of the Nile over 150 years ago--no matter how many different trials they faced--is just really not something I care t 3。5 stars。This wasn't a bad book。。。it was just that I realized about halfway through the book， that this wasn't something I was terribly interested in。 It's not that the title and description don't live up to the hype （I mean it doesn't super duper live up to it， but that wasn't the main issue）。 I didn't realize （which I should have） that white men going to try to find the source of the Nile over 150 years ago--no matter how many different trials they faced--is just really not something I care too much about。 It's sort of why I don't love any pre-1920s American lit。 Just not my thing。This isn't a bad book。。。but I wouldn't recommend it unless early colonial adventure/exploring is your thing。 Then， I think it's probably great。 。。。more
Courtney Eppler
，
For Governerd book club
Brett Van Gaasbeek
，
I just could not get into this one。 Millard is a fantastic writer and researcher， but she swings and misses with this topic。 I just didn't care much about this storyline。 I just could not get into this one。 Millard is a fantastic writer and researcher， but she swings and misses with this topic。 I just didn't care much about this storyline。 。。。more
Robert
，
2。5 stars rounded up- Not a biography of BurtonBurton lived a fascinating life， however the focus of this book is about finding the source of the Nile。 There are some terrific books about Burton， sadly this is not among them。 The conflict between Speke and Burton is a gimmick for a book proposal and gets very tedious， I found myself skipping pages as a result。 I can’t recommend readers part with their money on this when there are so many other great books about Burton。
Julia
，
I was bored for the most part reading this book。 Half the time I didn't understand why I was even reading it， what was the point？ I don't even know if this was such a historical feat because like the author said， those living near the mouth of the Nile knew where the source of the Nile was。 Just because European explorers felt that they knew better than natives why was this such an amazing discovery？The hardships that they went through illness and injury just to accomplish this task and then for I was bored for the most part reading this book。 Half the time I didn't understand why I was even reading it， what was the point？ I don't even know if this was such a historical feat because like the author said， those living near the mouth of the Nile knew where the source of the Nile was。 Just because European explorers felt that they knew better than natives why was this such an amazing discovery？The hardships that they went through illness and injury just to accomplish this task and then for Burton and Speke to live catastrophic lives just seems crazy。I did learn some interesting facts and learned more about the Nile than I knew before but beyond that I was bored and just trying to get to the end。 Burton's wife Isabel was an enigma to me。 The amount of devotion and worship she had for him was also crazy。 To each their own I guess， everyone has their own passions in life。 The things that drive them to live their lives the way they do。 。。。more
Vicki
，
Very enjoyable！ I read this because of Sharon McMahon’s book club。 It’s not what I would normally read but I really liked it。 Candace Millard writes about the 1800’s in a way that’s easy to get into and understand。
Melanie
，
3 ⭐️ | Both of these white dudes were absolutely insufferable 🫠 I’d much rather read about Sidi Mubarak Bombay！
Mary Ann
，
I readily admit I enjoy a good armchair exploration-travel book and especially one that tells a story of explorations in days past。 This book met all my expectations。 In River of the Gods， we meet three explorers from the Nineteenth Century who could not be more different as they join up to search for the source of the Nile。 Two of them， Burton and Speke， are British by heritage and the third， Bombay， is an East African who provides the invaluable service as their guide。 Their quest was a danger I readily admit I enjoy a good armchair exploration-travel book and especially one that tells a story of explorations in days past。 This book met all my expectations。 In River of the Gods， we meet three explorers from the Nineteenth Century who could not be more different as they join up to search for the source of the Nile。 Two of them， Burton and Speke， are British by heritage and the third， Bombay， is an East African who provides the invaluable service as their guide。 Their quest was a dangerous one and both Burton and Speke endure debilitating illness， catastrophic incompetence， and of course bitter rivalries。 While the challenges they endured 160 years ago were different than ones we may face today， it is the things that are the same that make the narrative so engaging。 Burton and Speke， as well as the other major players were of course products of their times。 Yet， their capacity for outright treachery， unabashed slander， lies， and deviousness are not that different from what we see today。 Burton’s wife is an interesting character in her own and I wanted to know more about her。 Also， a few more digressions into the interests of the times （e。g。 ideas on race， religion， the supernatural） would have been welcome。 Regardless， Millard is an accomplished researcher and storyteller and this book delivers a compelling story and does so in under300 pages！ 。。。more
Pamela Okano
，
Fascinating read about the friendship， rivalry， and enmity between two of the great European African explorers， Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke。
George Siehl
，