River of the Gods by Candice Millard

A gripping work of historical adventure by Candice Millard chronicling the dangerous nineteenth-century quest to discover the source of the Nile River — one of the greatest geographic mysteries of the era.

Blending exploration history, biography, imperial politics, survival, and obsession, the book follows British explorers Richard Burton, John Hanning Speke, and others as they journey through East Africa facing disease, extreme terrain, cultural conflict, and personal rivalry. Millard vividly captures both the physical hardships of exploration and the intense psychological tensions between the expedition members.

Richly researched and highly cinematic, River of the Gods is an immersive narrative history perfect for readers interested in exploration, Africa, empire, adventure, and the complex personalities behind some of history’s most ambitious expeditions.