Book
River of the gods : genius, courage, and betrayal in the search for the source of the Nile / Candice Millard.
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]
- Copyright: ©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. |
Search for related items by subject
| Genre: | Travel writing. Travel writing. |
Available copies
- 43 of 45 copies available at SPARK Libraries.
Holds
- 1 current hold with 45 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillsburg Area Public Library | Adults 916.2 MIL Nonfiction (Text) | 34001001415874 | Adult Area | Checked Out | 04/30/2024 |
| Exeter Community Library | 916.204 MIL (Text) | 33249025334818 | Non-fiction | Available | - |
| Gettysburg Library | 916.2043 MILLARD (Text)
Endowment:
G. Donald Wickerham Named Endowment, 2022
|
35740635896582 | Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Green Free Library (Wellsboro) | 916.2043 MIL (Text) | 92525675 | GFWM Main Room | Available | - |
| Highland Community Library | 916.2043 MIL (Text) | 35610000993738 | HGHM Fiction | Available | - |
| Hollidaysburg Area Public Library | 916.2043 Mil 2022 (Text) | 10HOL000480841 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Indian Valley Public Library | 916.2043 Millard History (Text) | 39427103655577 | Nonfiction Room: Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Lower Macungie Library | 916.2043 MIL (Text) | 33400001553240 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Martin Library | Adults 916.2 MIL Life Times (Text) | 33454005871330 | 2nd Floor | Available | - |
| Mason-Dixon Public Library | Adults 916.2 MIL Nonfiction (Text) | 34262000776266 | Main Room | Available | - |
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
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
