River of the Gods audiobook cover - Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile

River of the Gods

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

Candice Millard

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HistoryNature & the Environment

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River of the Gods
Historical Context+
The Explorers+
First Expedition: Somaliland+
Second Expedition: Great Lakes+
Aftermath and Resolution+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What was considered the biggest geographical mystery for 19th-century European explorers, driving the expeditions detailed in the book?
  • A. Deciphering the cryptic markings of the Rosetta Stone.
  • B. Discovering the elusive source of the White Nile.
  • C. Finding a safe overland route to India to bypass French forces.
  • D. Navigating the impenetrable Sudd swamp to reach the Blue Nile.
Question 2 of 7
How did Richard Burton's skill set and personality contrast with those of his second-in-command, John Speke?
  • A. Burton was a disciplined military tactician, while Speke was an erratic but brilliant artist.
  • B. Burton was a deeply religious man who relied on faith, while Speke was a staunch atheist and scientist.
  • C. Burton was a cosmopolitan linguistic genius, while Speke was a rigid soldier who preferred hunting over learning local cultures.
  • D. Burton was a wealthy aristocrat who funded the journey, while Speke was a working-class local guide.
Question 3 of 7
Why did the expedition struggle with the concept of paying for goods and safe passage as they moved further inland into East Africa?
  • A. Local communities refused all foreign trade and would only accept labor in exchange for supplies.
  • B. The explorers lost all their silver bullion coins during the initial attack by Somali warriors.
  • C. The Royal Geographical Society refused to provide them with enough funds to pay the porters.
  • D. Inland communities operated on barter economies and preferred "kuhonga" like wire, cloth, and beads over silver bullion.
Question 4 of 7
What catastrophic event brought Burton and Speke's first expedition to an abrupt end before they could even march inland?
  • A. A massive attack by hundreds of Somali warriors that left both men severely wounded.
  • B. A devastating outbreak of malaria that decimated their already small crew of porters.
  • C. A mutiny by their guards, who stole their supplies and abandoned them on the coast.
  • D. The sinking of their Arab ship off the coast of Aden, resulting in the loss of all scientific equipment.
Question 5 of 7
Which of the following significantly fueled John Speke's bitter resentment toward Richard Burton after their first failed expedition?
  • A. Burton claimed full credit for Speke's map of the Somaliland coast.
  • B. Burton handed Speke's prized hunting trophies over to a zoologist and publicly highlighted his ignorance of local languages.
  • C. Burton abandoned Speke during the Somali attack to save his own life.
  • D. Burton refused to pay Speke his promised wages from the Royal Geographical Society's funds.
Question 6 of 7
During their second expedition, what bold action did Speke take while Burton was recovering from severe illness?
  • A. He successfully navigated the Sudd swamp and mapped the entire White Nile.
  • B. He abandoned Burton and returned to Zanzibar with all the remaining supplies.
  • C. He found a massive inland sea, named it Lake Victoria, and claimed it was the Nile's source without evidence.
  • D. He negotiated a treaty with a local ruler that secured safe passage for future British expeditions.
Question 7 of 7
How did the intense public rivalry between Burton and Speke ultimately conclude?
  • A. Burton proved Speke's measurements wrong during a highly publicized debate at the Royal Geographical Society.
  • B. Speke died from a gunshot wound the day before he and Burton were scheduled to debate their findings.
  • C. The two men reconciled on a final, joint expedition that definitively mapped the Great Lakes Region.
  • D. Burton was exiled from the Royal Geographical Society after Speke published a bestselling book exposing his leadership failures.

River of the Gods — Full Chapter Overview

River of the Gods Summary & Overview

River of the Gods (2022) follows two audacious individuals as they search for the source of the world’s longest river. At the time, this was a question of mythical proportions, and one which would consume and break the men sent to answer it.

Who Should Listen to River of the Gods?

  • History buffs
  • Travel lovers
  • Anyone who grew up with navigation apps on their smartphone

About the Author: Candice Millard

Candice Millard is an American writer and journalist. Her work has featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Guardian, National Geographic, and Time.

Aside from River of the Gods, Millard has written three other books: The River of Doubt, Destiny of the Republic, and Hero of the Empire.

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