Candice Millard, the author of four New York Times bestselling books, is here this week to discuss her newest book River of the Gods. The story of the search for the elusive source of the Nile by 19th-century explorers, it gives rise to a wide-ranging discussion across many dynamics, modern & historic.

(1:54) Introduction to Candice Millard

(3:20) The Source of the Story

(5:20) Importance of the source of the Nile 

(7:12) The Royal Geographic Society past and present

(9:55) A picture of Richard Francis Burton 

(13:25) Sidi Mubarak Bombay: the great unknown explorer

(17:45) Checking emotions and biases in historical writing 

(21:31) John Hanning Speke: Partner and Rival

(25:57) The hardships of exploration

(28:32) Bygone themes of the 19th century

(35:15) Candice Millard’s writing style and methods

(38:04) What is Candice reading now

(40:26) Candice’s tips for new writers

(47:21) Why these books and these stories? 

(48:40) What is the big takeaway from all four of these books

(50:05) Candice's next adventure…  

Host: David Gardner Guest: Candice Millard Producer: Heather Horton