The Art of Manliness

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

May 23, 2022

Candice Millard, author of "River of the Gods," dives into the riveting 19th-century expedition to discover the Nile's source. She highlights the fierce rivalry between explorers Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke, showcasing their contrasting personalities and the harrowing challenges they faced. Millard also uncovers the invaluable role of the unsung hero, Sidi Mubarak Bombay, and explores Victorian sensibilities that clashed with their daring adventures. The story is filled with ambition, betrayal, and an exploration of cultural boundaries.

44:14

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Episode guests

Candice Millard

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Quest for the Nile: Explorations and Rivalries

6min

Cultural Boundaries and Victorian Sensibilities

2min

Explorers and Rivalries: The Nile Expedition

12min

A Tale of Devotion and Heroism in Victorian Exploration

5min

Rivalries and Revelations in Nile Exploration

18min

Uncovering the Legacy of an Unsung Explorer

3min

In the 19th century, the source of the Nile River remained one of the greatest mysteries of geographic exploration. The story of how the British eventually found it is one of adventure, danger, and bravery, but also arrogance, envy, and resentment.

Here to offer some snapshots from this dramatic expedition is Candice Millard, author of River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile. Today on the show, Candice shares how two men who were very much opposites, Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke, ventured together on two years-long expeditions to locate the source of the longest and most legendary river in the world, the harrowing obstacles they faced in their quest, and how their partnership devolved into a bitter rivalry. Along the way, we discuss what made Burton such a compelling character, why we remember his name but not Speke's, and the African guide who was the unheralded hero in the achievements of both men.