Theodore Roosevelt was born on this day in 1858. In honor of the 26th President of the United States, we remember his words, “I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”

For a gripping account of one of the biggest challenges of Roosevelt’s life, read about his post-presidential journey through the Amazon in 1912. The adventure along the aptly-named River of Doubt, nearly cost him his life from disease, injury, Indian attacks, and even contemplations of suicide. The remarkable story is told in Candice Millard’s River of Doubt, and we highly recommend it.