Candice Millard

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Candice Millard – Life, Career, and Memorable Words

Learn about Candice Millard—her journey from journalist to bestselling nonfiction author. Explore her biography, major works, writing style, impact, and insightful quotes.

Introduction

Candice Millard is an acclaimed American writer and journalist best known for narrative nonfiction that bridges history, exploration, and human drama. She crafts richly detailed, suspenseful stories about pivotal moments and figures in history. Though many sources list her birth as 1967 or 1968, her work has firmly established her as one of today’s leading popular historians.

Her books—such as The River of Doubt, Destiny of the Republic, Hero of the Empire, and River of the Gods—have become New York Times bestsellers, won awards, and earned her a loyal readership.

Early Life and Education

Candice Sue Millard was born in the United States—some sources say 1967, others 1968—making a precise birth year a little uncertain.

She pursued her undergraduate studies at Baker University, where she earned a BA degree. Master’s degree in literature from Baylor University.

Her early years and education laid the foundation for a life of reading, curiosity about history, and rigorous research.

Career and Major Works

From National Geographic to Author

Before becoming a noted author, Millard worked as a writer and editor for National Geographic magazine. Her experience in journalism and editing honed her narrative skills, attention to detail, and ability to draw readers into real events.

Over time she shifted toward longer-form narrative nonfiction, focusing on dramatic historical episodes and lesser-known pivots in the lives of famous figures.

Signature Books & Themes

Millard’s books tend to center on historical moments of crisis, exploration, or transformation. Her storytelling often illuminates how people respond under extreme pressure.

Here are her major books and their significance:

• The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey (2005)
  This was her debut book. It recounts Roosevelt’s harrowing expedition into the Amazon (then called the Rio da Dúvida) in 1913–14, revealing both the physical dangers of the rainforest and Roosevelt’s psychological resolve. It was named a New York Times bestseller, a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick, and earned awards like the William Rockhill Nelson Award.

• Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine & the Murder of a President (2011)
  This book explores the assassination of President James A. Garfield, the medical missteps following his shooting, and how that period shaped American medicine. It won the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime, PEN Center USA award, and other honors.

• Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill (2016)
  This work focuses on a pivotal chapter in Winston Churchill’s early life: his military service in the Boer War, his capture and escape, and how these experiences forged his character. Hero of the Empire earned wide acclaim.

• River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile (2022)
  Her most recent book delves into the 19th-century quests to locate the true source of the Nile River, intertwining exploration, colonial ambition, and human ambition.

Her books are all New York Times bestsellers.

Recognition and Awards

Millard has been honored with multiple awards reflecting her craftsmanship:

• Edgar Award for Destiny of the Republic in 2012 (Best Fact Crime)

• PEN Center USA award for nonfiction

• Thorpe Menn Award for literary excellence (Kansas locale)

• BIO Award (Biographers International Organization) in 2017, recognizing her body of work in biography and narrative history

Her books are also frequently named “Best of the Year” by major newspapers and reading lists.

Writing Style & Approach

Candice Millard’s writing stands out for:

• Narrative immersion: She writes history like a story, with tension, character arcs, and vivid scene setting.

• Deep research: She travels to relevant locations, consults archival materials, and reconstructs emotional context.

• Focus on crisis moments: She often profiles leaders or explorers at turning points, rather than when they are already powerful.

• Interplay of human fragility and ambition: Her narratives show how people confront fear, uncertainty, and consequences.

• Accessible, readable prose: She balances detail with pace, making complex history compelling to general readers.

In interviews, she has described doing field research even when it invites danger—such as flying over the Amazon, in order to feel the environment her subjects experienced.

Legacy and Influence

Candice Millard has contributed meaningfully to public understanding of history through narrative nonfiction. Her work:

• Bridges academic and popular history: She makes historical episodes approachable without oversimplifying.

• Highlights lesser-told contexts: Many of her subjects are caught between fame and flux, giving readers fresh angles on well-known figures.

• Inspires new generations: Her style encourages history lovers, students, and general readers to see biography and exploration as alive and dramatic.

• Elevates narrative nonfiction: She is among a cadre of writers demonstrating how true stories can read like novels while retaining factual integrity.

Over time, her books will likely continue to be cited in histories of exploration, presidential studies, and the biographies of figures like Churchill and Roosevelt.

Personality and Traits

From interviews and profiles, some aspects of her persona emerge:

• Curiosity and courage: She is willing to travel into remote or risky areas in service of research.

• Attention to detail: She cares about archival rigor, historical nuance, and narrative consistency.

• Empathy for her subjects: Even powerful figures are portrayed with vulnerability and human stakes.

• Perseverance: Transitioning from magazine editing to full-length major book writing reflects her commitment to long offerings rather than short pieces.

She lives with her husband, Mark Uhlig, and their three children. Her home is in Kansas City (and Leawood, Kansas / Overland Park area).

Memorable Quotes

While Candice Millard is less known for pithy maxims than for extended narratives, a few of her remarks stand out:

“You need to be drowning in it.”
— On writing, meaning one must immerse fully in the material. (from interview)

“I like the idea of finding these very powerful, very successful men in situations where they are unsure … I think that’s when your real character is revealed.”
— From an interview about how she chooses subjects.

(Regarding field research) “While we were there … if you’ve been in a little plane … you know it’s loud and shaky and then all of a sudden it’s just silent and we drop like a stone.”
— On a near-death research flight over the Amazon.

These statements reflect her immersive approach, her thematic interest in moments of crisis, and her humility toward uncertainty.

Lessons from Candice Millard

1. Let curiosity lead your subject choice
   Millard doesn’t pick easy stories—she seeks moments where conflict, uncertainty, and human struggle are embedded.

2. Immerse yourself in the environment
   To write with empathy and detail, she often visits places her subjects traveled or endured.

3. Balance rigor and narrative
   Historical truth and dramatic tension need not conflict—they can support each other.

4. Illuminate vulnerability, not just greatness
   Her strength is in showing powerful people when they are vulnerable or tested.

5. Persistence transforms ambition into legacy
   Moving from magazines to award-winning books took patience, hard work, and risk.

Conclusion

Candice Millard has carved out a remarkable niche at the intersection of narrative urgency and historical scholarship. Her books transport readers deep into the decisions, dangers, and inner lives of iconic figures, delivering both education and emotional resonance.

Though her birth year may be listed variably (1967 or 1968), her stature in the literary and history world is firmly established. As she continues to publish, her influence will likely grow—shaping how readers view exploration, leadership, and crisis across time.