Publisher's Weekly Review
This gripping chronicle of a 1914 expedition that changed the map of Brazil highlights a post-presidential accomplishment of Teddy Roosevelt. Setting the scene, Seiple (Lincoln's Spymaster) writes that, after arriving in Rio de Janeiro for a speaking tour, the "danger-loving, thrill-seeking" Roosevelt was recruited by the Brazilian government to lead, along with local explorer Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, a mission to chart an unexplored and unmapped waterway in the Amazon jungle, known as the River of Doubt. Accompanied by his son Kermit and an entourage of Brazilian camaradas (canoeists and other laborers), Roosevelt embarked on what became as much a journey of survival as discovery. Incorporating quotations from the journals of Roosevelt and the expedition's other principal members, Seiple illuminates the party's life-threatening struggles with thundering rapids, punishing rain, disease, injuries, hostile native tribes, insubordination, dwindling provisions, and plummeting morale. Simultaneously, Seiple's portrait of Roosevelt reveals his perseverance, good humor, selflessness, and compassion, despite potentially fatal malaria and an infected leg wound. Archival photos help draw readers into this death-defying drama. Ages 12-up. Agent: Jessica Regel, Foundry Literary + Media. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Seiple's latest piece of historical nonfiction wades into the treacherous Amazon jungle in this lesser-known adventure of Theodore Roosevelt in 1913. The prologue plunges readers into a dire scene: a starved expedition team at the mercy of crashing rapids. Then, in a single chapter, Seiple backtracks to Roosevelt's childhood and passion for natural sciences throughout his varied careers and presidency. The remainder of the book is devoted to Roosevelt's participation in a dangerous mapping expedition of an uncharted South American river, dubbed the River of Doubt, led by famed Brazilian explorer Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon. Blending historical background with quotes, diary entries, and photographs from the expedition, Seiple lets the grueling journey unfold. The miserable conditions of the jungle pervade the narrative, including potential attacks by native peoples, whom the expedition endeavored to treat with respect despite some now-outdated attitudes. The lack of direct citations is a drawback, but extensive source notes are included. This compelling saga showcases another side of Roosevelt that will sweep up intrepid readers.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2016 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-A hardheaded outdoorsman sets out to explore the uncharted regions of the Amazon. Only one thing sets him apart from other enterprising men of his day-he used to be the president of the United States. Given the opportunity to investigate this region, Theodore Roosevelt jumped at the chance and unwittingly placed himself and his crew in great danger. Offering only the most perfunctory of overviews of his presidency, Seiple jumps into the meat of this particular episode in Roosevelt's life, his time on the so-called River of Doubt. With black-and-white photos and descriptive language, this book is an immersive reading experience for lovers of adventure narratives. While presidential biographies for kids are common fare, it is rare to see such a detailed account of an individual's time after leaving office. Seiple also takes care to profile Roosevelt's crew, including his son Kermit and respected explorer Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon. However, the handling of Brazil's indigenous peoples leaves a lot to be desired: they are framed as existing only in the past ("Like the United States, Brazil had a population of different Indian tribes") and referred to as "hostile Indians." VERDICT While this is an action-packed work of narrative nonfiction, its occasional stereotypical depiction of indigenous peoples lessens its value.-Erinn Black Salge, Saint Peter's Prep, Jersey City, NJ © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
In this true, thrilling adventure story, 55-year-old former president Theodore Roosevelt joins an expedition to explore an uncharted river deep in the Amazon jungle and barely makes it out alive. Long before he was president of the United States, Roosevelt was famous as an intrepid adventurer. While on a speaking tour of South America, Roosevelt receives an offer he cannot refuse: lead an expedition deep into a mostly unknown region of the Amazon to chart an unmapped river. Accompanying him are his son Kermit and renowned Brazilian explorer Cndido Mariano da Silva Rondon, quite similar to Roosevelt in stamina and temperament. The expedition is plagued with difficulties from the beginning. Besides having to trudge through thick, unforgiving jungle and navigate an unpredictably dangerous river with raging rapids and steep waterfalls, Roosevelt and his companions must endure myriad threats such as ferocious insects, malaria, near starvation, bloodthirsty piranhas, poisonous snakes, and hostile indigenous peoples. Seiples crisply written, briskly paced narrative brings the constant state of danger to the fore, smoothly weaving in quotations from primary sources. As close to death as he has ever been, Roosevelt characteristically remarks, "I did have a murderous trip down South, but it was mighty interesting." One unfortunate oversight is an absence of specific source notes for these quotations. A stirring, suspenseful true story of dangerous adventure and remarkable survival. (photos, Teddys Travel Tips, timeline, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
