The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Millard, Candice. River of the Gods. Doubleday, 2022.

River of the Gods is divided into four parts, each titled with an excerpt from one of the main characters’ writings. The parts segment the book into sections that clearly differentiate different phases of the exploration, and are further subdivided into chapters of varied length.

After the Rosetta Stone was sequestered from Napolean's forces, it was translated by English scholars and widely disseminated in the public. The discoveries made possible by the Rosetta Stone sparked new intrigue about Egyptian ethnology and generated a wave of exploratory missions into the African continent. Among these missions was the search for the source of the Nile, a geographic quest that remained shrouded in mysteries for generations of Europeans.

Richard Francis Burton was considered the best man for the mission by the Royal Geographic Society. A well traveled explorer, renowned linguist and ethnographer, and highly accomplished swordsman, Burton took to the task with a zeal. While staging his trip in Zanzibar, Burton met John Hanning Speke and reluctantly hired him for the position of second in command. The polar opposite personality of Burton’s, Speke was born into the British aristocracy and served as a lieutenant in the Bengal Native Infantry. Speke had come to Africa for his love of big game hunting, but being unable to secure a team of guides and porters was forced to turn to Burton for support.

Almost immediately, Burton regretted his decision to hire Speke. While camped out in Berbera awaiting departure of the next caravan, the men came under attack from a force far outnumbering their own. Both Burton and Speke suffered severe wounds and Burton’s dear friend Stroyan was killed. Burton’s suggestion during the battle that Speke was exhibiting cowardice became the basis for their life-long quarrel.

After healing from their wounds, Burton’s expedition regrouped in Zanzibar. Here they hired Sidi Mubarak Bombay as their lead guide. Bombay’s presence became instrumental in their success. As the caravan finally embarked for the African interior, matters grew increasingly tense between the two men and they travelled under a host of difficult conditions.

Disease beset them constantly and many of the men were unable to walk, speak, or see for extended periods of time. A constant fear of hostility from native tribes kept them on edge, rations ran short, and many of their hired men deserted them. Despite these trials, Bombay successfully led them to Lake Tanganyika. The men were unable to find a river flowing out of the lake before they were forced to return to Kazeh due to a lack of supplies.

Recovering from an illness in Kazeh, Burton gave Speke permission to travel North to the much larger Lake Nyanza. Upon arriving at Nyanza, Speke became instantly convinced that it was the source of the Nile. Burton believed they needed more conclusive evidence to make such claims.

Arriving in Zanzibar, Burton found that his old friend and ally at the consulate has passed away and was replaced by his outspoken opponent, Christopher Palmer Rigby. Rigby allied himself with Speke and the together they set about defaming Burton. Speke returned to England and snubbed Burton by spreading vicious lies about him and smearing his reputation. The ruse was successful and Speke secured a new expedition to Lake Nyanza with himself as leader.

Burton felt slighted and lashed out at Speke, publishing several works accusing him of cowardice and ineptitude. Speke successfully found a river running out of Lake Nyanza that he claimed was the source of the Nile. He renamed the body of water ‘Lake Victoria.’ His bad temperament and tendency to attack and belittle everyone around him created many enemies and gradually isolated him from the outside world.

He returned to England victorious, but soon his closest friends began turning on him. When the Royal Geographic Society held a public debate between him and Burton, a large and interested crowd gathered in Bath. Feeling unnerved at the sight of his old companion during the preliminary proceedings, Speke left in a hurry to go hunting at his uncle’s estate. There, he shot himself while climbing a stone wall and was pronounced dead at the scene. His legacy was quickly erased.

One of the only men to honor Speke’s memory was Burton, who gave his own money to create a memorial for his fallen comrade. Sadly, Bombay did not receive credit for his work until 2009, though he was a more accomplished explorer than either Burton or Speke. Burton died in poverty, translating illicit Eastern sexual texts until his death.