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River of the gods : genius, courage, and betrayal in the search for the source of the Nile / Candice Millard.

Millard, Candice, (author.).

Summary:
Set against the backdrop of the race to exploit Africa by the colonial powers, a story of courage and adventure brings to life the rivalry between two enemies--a decorated soldier and a young aristocrat/Army officer--as they set out to find the mysterious headwaters of the Nile River.
For millennia the location of the Nile River's headwaters was shrouded in mystery. Expeditions to find it were stymied by a giant labyrinthine swamp. In the 19th century Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke were sent by the Royal Geographical Society to claim the prize for England. From the start the two men clashed. They would endure tremendous hardships, illness, and constant setbacks. Two years in, deep in the African interior Speke claimed he found the source in a great lake that he christened Lake Victoria. Back in England Speke disparaged Burton; Burton disputed his claim, and Speke launched another expedition to Africa to prove it. Millard turns to the third man on both expeditions: Sidi Mubarak Bombay, a former slave in a Sultan's army who used his resourcefulness, linguistic prowess and raw courage to forge a living as a guide. -- adapted from jacket

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780385543101
  • ISBN: 0385543107
  • Physical Description: xii, 349 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm
  • Edition: First edition.
  • Publisher: New York : Doubleday, [2022]

Content descriptions

General Note:
Map on endpapers.
Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-328) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
Prologue: Obsession -- Part one: Some gallant heart. A blaze of light ; Shadows ; Bond for our blood ; The Abban ; The enemy is upon us -- Part two: What might have been, what would have been. Into the mouth of Hell ; What a curse is a heart ; Horror vacui ; Bombay ; Death was written ; An old enemy ; Tanganyika ; To the end of the world -- Part three: Fury. The knives are sheathed ; 'Twas me he shot ; An exile's dream ; Hard as bricks -- Part four: The malignant tongues of friends. The prince ; Damn their souls ; Neston Park ; The weary heart grows cold -- Epilogue: Ashes.
Subject: Burton, Richard Francis, Sir, 1821-1890 > Travel > Nile River.
Speke, John Hanning, 1827-1864 > Travel > Nile River.
Bombay, Sidi Mubarak > Travel > Nile River.
Explorers > Nile River > History > 19th century.
Nile River > Discovery and exploration.
Nile River Valley > Discovery and exploration.
Genre: Travel writing.
Travel writing.

Available copies

  • 40 of 45 copies available at SPARK Libraries. (Show)

Holds

  • 1 current hold with 45 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Abington Community Library 916.2 MILLARD (Text) 50687011779827 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Albright Memorial Library 916.2 MILLARD (Text) 50686016173051 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Altoona Area Public Library 916.2043 MIL (Text) 33240004965078 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Annie Halenbake Ross Library 916.2043 Mil (Text) 00153816 ADULT Non-Fiction Available -
Bangor Public Library 916.2 MIL (Text) 75011000377140 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Bellwood-Antis Public Library 916.2043 Mil (Text) 310BEL00087671 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Blossburg Memorial Library 916.2043 MIL (Text) 30063000276495 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Cambria County Library 916.2043 M645r (Text) 85131001907642 CACM Non-Fiction Available -
Dalton Community Library 916.2043 MILLARD (Text) 50689090007633 Browsing Available -
Degenstein Community Library NF 916.2043 MILLARD (Text) 35031301229490 Adult Non-Fiction Available -


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