River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile

Auteurs

• Candice Millard

Paramètres

• 400 pages
• 14 heures de lecture

• Biographies
• Cartes et voyages
• Nonfiction
• Thème historique
• Voyage

En savoir plus sur le livre

From the New York Times bestselling author of RIVER OF DOUBT and DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC, this stirring narrative recounts one of the greatest exploration feats and its complex legacy. The Nile River, the world's longest, has long been a source of mystery, with its headwaters eluding discovery for centuries. Despite Pharaonic and Roman efforts, the location remained hidden, shrouded by a vast swamp. The 19th century ignited a surge of interest in ancient Egypt following the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, coinciding with European explorations aimed at mapping unknown territories and expanding colonial empires. Two British men, Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke, were dispatched by the Royal Geographical Society to uncover the Nile's source. Burton, renowned for his adventurous spirit and linguistic skills, was a decorated soldier and an iconoclastic thinker. In contrast, Speke, a young aristocrat, was eager to prove himself but often clashed with Burton over their differing temperaments and approaches. Their journey was fraught with challenges, and after two years, illness forced Burton to retreat while Speke claimed to have discovered the source at Lake Victoria. Upon their return, a rivalry ensued, culminating in Speke's tragic death before a public debate. Amidst this rivalry was Sidi Mubarak Bombay, an enslaved man whose remarkable journey as a guide was pivotal to their expeditions. His contributions, often overlooke

Achat du livre

• Année de publication: 2023
• Reliure: (souple)