Bibliograph

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

Type

Label

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

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-328) and index

Illustrations

platesmapsillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

River of the gods

Nature of contents

bibliography

Responsibility statement

Candice Millard

Sub title

genius, courage, and betrayal in the search for the source of the Nile

Summary

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

Classification