Have you ever read a non fiction book and hoped that a film would be made of it? You know that I have! If not a full length film, at least a good documentary. Happy to tell you this...
If you are reading this in America, I urge you to watch "American Experience" on PBS on Jan. 9th. "Into The Amazon", the story of Teddy Roosevelt's journey to South America in 1914 will be the subject.
This is an extraordinary story and a true one that needs no embellishment from Hollywood. Teddy Roosevelt, after having lost his re election as President, decided to explore a tributary of the Amazon, one that had never been chartered before, called the River of Doubt. (The non fiction book mentioned in my first sentence? That would be "River of Doubt" by Candice Millard". For my readers in other countries, if you can't see this documentary on TV, then read the book!)
You may read more about it just here. There are good photos there also.
Teddy Roosevelt nearly died on this trip, losing nearly a quarter of his body weight. His son, Kermit, was along on the trip and when Teddy was near death, he pleaded with his son to leave him behind. He refused. If you look at the website for "American Experience" there is a short clip about Kermit Roosevelt. (Looking a bit further, I see that Kermit Roosevelt III, who is Kermit's great grandson is a novelist. I find this interesting.)
American Experience Maybe if you click on that link, even those in other countries will be able to read and to see the videos on there.
If someone asks you, "Who was the youngest American president?" The answer is Teddy Roosevelt, he became president upon the assassination of President McKinley in 1901 at the age of 42. (John F. Kennedy was 43 and was the youngest elected president.)
Who was the oldest? Can you guess? That would be the current President of the United States, he was 70 when he was elected.
Please watch American Experience on Tuesday! And if you miss it, try to catch it when they re-run it.
River of Doubt was later renamed Rio Roosevelt.
Just learned that Ray Thomas of the Moody Blues has died. How much I loved to hear him sing the song that he wrote "For My Lady"! That beautiful flute! The Moody Blues will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April. Sorry that Ray Thomas won't be there but his music will live forever.
It is funny - I am more interested in history now then when I was in school. That sounds interesting. I did not know he was the youngest - I thought it was Kennedy. sandie
ReplyDeleteHistory was my favorite subject, no wait..it was French...doggone it, I loved everything except any MATH class!
DeleteThank you for recommending the book, Kay. As you say, an experience like that certainly does not need any embellishment, Hollywood-style!
ReplyDeleteLast night it was on our main TV news that France Gall has died. She was 70 and lost a two-year-long battle against cancer. O.K. and I were watching the news together and played one or two songs on youtube afterwards, to remember her.
Oh, I looked her up! It mentioned the song "My Way". I just asked Richard, "Was that song in French originally?" and he said, "Yes, and Paul Anka is the one who translated it badly."
DeleteFrance Gall was a lovely woman with a beautiful voice.
I am definitely going to watch this and will put a request in to the library to reserve the book, too. I love these true stories. I didn't realize he was the youngest president either! I always thought it was Kennedy.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Kay. xo Diana
Oh! I hope you get the chance to read it, it is an amazing book!
DeleteIf you should ever win any money with this question on our Presidents, you should send me some money! (Or else Hamlet chocolates!!)
Sad to say I no longer get PBS, but will watcher it on the reruns. Isn't he the same president the Teddy bear is named for. Interesting picture on your post today, make me wonder what it is. Hope the week ahead is a great one for you !
ReplyDeleteYes, they BELIEVE that the Teddy Bear could be named for Teddy Roosevelt but I think that Europeans might disagree with us about that! LOL!
DeleteThe photo is from a lake at the Georgia International Horse Park, here in Rockdale County...they had some of the events in the 1996 Summer Olympics there! (The horse events, that is!)
Theodore Roosevelt’s whole life needed no embellishments!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Ray Thomas, my condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
WE have T.R. to thank for our national parks!!
DeleteI love the Moody Blues, have seen them many times in concert, and they were just great.
Moody Blues, what a band, what a loss!
ReplyDeleteI know, Ad-Man, the Moody Blues have always been a favorite of this household, including our son!
DeleteTHANK YOU! I didn't read it, but Tom did, and I love anything to do with TR.
ReplyDeleteGood! I am glad that you now know to watch it!
DeleteI also love TR and I wish we had more leaders like him today.
Did you watch that PBS series on the Roosevelts? I was only able to watch the first episode, but it was about Teddy. Fascinating life of hardship, loss and triumph.
ReplyDeleteYes! I thought that was good too. FDR was fascinating to me too, he had a Georgia connection, he had a special place here in Warm Springs. He loved it.
DeleteI will certainly watch this. TR was one of my grandfather's heroes and I heard a lot about him growing up. Also I read a great biography of him, quite a few years ago, David McCullough's Mornings on Horseback...
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to learn about Ray Thomas. The Moody Blues were part of my twenties...Long ago.
Thanks for telling me about the David McCullough book! Remember how much I loved his book about The Wright Brothers? I saw that he had written one about TR and of course, I promptly forgot it, so thanks for reminding me! I want to read it!
DeleteWe are big fans of The Moody Blues, as a family, we have seen them several times in concert, we love them!
Hi, Kay! As I get older, I'm becoming more interested in history. I didn't realize that TR was the youngest president ever, and his Amazon expedition sounds fascinating. I'm currently reading about the Halifax Explosion in 1917. My grandmother heard the explosion which occurred 220 kms or 136.7 miles away (driving today) from here. I was shocked to hear that Ray Thomas had died. The MB's are one of my all time favorite groups. I hope that you are having a great day!
ReplyDeleteI love history! You know I do!! The story of the Hallifax Explosion is something that I had never heard of until I read about it on some of the Canadian blogs. 136.7 miles away, and your grandmother heard it, that is amazing.
DeleteTake care, Louise and hope you are feeling great! x
I've caught up with myself, Kay! I just mentioned the explosion in my last comment ~ LOL It was the biggest manmade explosion prior to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima ~ six million pounds of high explosives. It was a big boom!
DeleteI have seen a documentary on Teddy Roosevelt and remember being amazed at his accomplishments. I'm very grateful for his creating national parks. So sad that his wife and mother died within 11 days of each other.
ReplyDeleteI am also very grateful for the work in did in giving us our National Parks!
DeleteIt is very sad to think of him losing his wife and mother, I think it was on the same day, I read that it was 11 hours of each other, perhaps that is where you are thinking of the number 11. No matter what time, it would have been a terrible thing for him.
I missed the show but will keep my eye open for a possible rerun. The links explain a lot. I'll show Lynette. I'm sure she'll love it.
ReplyDeleteThe show was good but I thought it could have been better. If only AMerican Experience knew to call me and asked for my editing advice! :-)
DeleteNever knew that about T.R. and the Amazon. You know you are getting old when all your musical heroes are kicking the bucket. Last few years I've been thinking, nearly every month, damn, that's another one gone. Soon be my turn :o)
ReplyDeleteWe all know that we can't live forever but it is still hard to lose folks that we admire so much! Tsk, tsk...don't think of "your turn"! Live for today, my friend! Seize the day! :-)
DeleteI really don't think there is anyone quite so interesting as TR. There are wonderful biographies about him and they read like page-turning fiction.
ReplyDeleteHe WAS a fascinating, complex person but not too many Americans have ever taken the time to get to "know" him. It is their loss!
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