SKU: 98108587550

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

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River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile2022 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for History and Biography For millennia the location of the Nile Rivers headwaters was shrouded in mystery. In the 19th century, there was a frenzy of interest in ancient Egypt. At the same time, European powers sent off waves of explorations intended to map the unknown corners of the globe and extend their colonial empires. Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke were sent by the Royal Geographical Society to claim

2022 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for History and Biography

For millennia the location of the Nile River’s headwaters was shrouded in mystery. In the 19th century, there was a frenzy of interest in ancient Egypt. At the same time, European powers sent off waves of explorations intended to map the unknown corners of the globe – and extend their colonial empires.

Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke were sent by the Royal Geographical Society to claim the prize for England. Burton spoke twenty-nine languages, and was a decorated soldier. He was also mercurial, subtle, and an iconoclastic atheist. Speke was a young aristocrat and Army officer determined to make his mark, passionate about hunting, Burton’s opposite in temperament and beliefs.

From the start the two men clashed. They would endure tremendous hardships, illness, and constant setbacks. Two years in, deep in the African interior, Burton became too sick to press on, but Speke did, and claimed he found the source in a great lake that he christened Lake Victoria. When they returned to England, Speke rushed to take credit, disparaging Burton. Burton disputed his claim, and Speke launched another expedition to Africa to prove it. The two became venomous enemies, with the public siding with the more charismatic Burton, to Speke’s great envy. The day before they were to publicly debate,Speke shot himself.

Yet there was a third man on both expeditions, his name obscured by imperial annals, whose exploits were even more extraordinary. This was Sidi Mubarak Bombay, who was enslaved and shipped from his home village in East Africa to India. When the man who purchased him died, he made his way into the local Sultan’s army, and eventually traveled back to Africa, where he used his resourcefulness, linguistic prowess and raw courage to forge a living as a guide. Without Bombay and men like him, who led, carried, and protected the expedition, neither Englishman would have come close to the headwaters of the Nile, or perhaps even survived.

In River of the Gods Candice Millard has written another peerless story of courage and adventure, set against the backdrop of the race to exploit Africa by the colonial powers.

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SKU: 98108587550

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Michael Arnhold
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Very comfortable Slippers. Great buy!
Size: 12-13 Women/10.5-11.5 Men, Color: Charcoal
I bought these to replace a pair of slippers that I have had for years that are very similar to the slippers I bought, but I had worn a hole in the leather on mine, so I had to find something new and similar. These slippers are worth the money they are very comfortable, and I am sure they will last for years. They are a little tight around the ankle cuff but they are still new and I am sure they will wear in a little more when I start wearing them more.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
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Jenn
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 3
Great slippers but disappointing quality.
Size: 7.5-8.5 Women/6-7 Men, Color: Ash, Size: 7.5-8.5 Women/6-7 Men, Color: Ash
Extremely comfortable, attractive slippers but the stitching came loose on both leather trim areas almost immediately. I tried to sew/glue down the stitching (as seen in photo) but it kept unraveling. Disappointing as these slippers are great in every other way (though they do run a bit big...I wear a 9 but ended up with a 7.5-8.5 which fits with a bit of room to spare even with thick socks). I just hope they hold up after my latest attempt to stop the thread from pulling out any more as I do really love wearing them. Perhaps I just got a bum pair?
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Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
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James B. Ross
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
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Color: Nude, Size: Women 9-13
as described
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Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2026
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Joe
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 1
Do not buy these
Color: Nude, Size: Women 9-13
These are terrible. They are designed to walk in. The first day I tried them on I walked about 20 steps and they basically ripped right off my feet. I didn’t think much of it and just thought ok I won’t walk in them I’ll just wear them to bed. The second pair that came with the order I wore to bed that night and woke up with holes tore in them. Terrible product
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Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026
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Kevin
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Durable
Color: Nude, Size: Women 9-13
These are form-fitting and durable. Wearing these keeps the skin moisturizer in place so it can be effective.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2026

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