This book is the actual diary kept by Francisco Morillo, a Spanish officer tasked with exploring the Bermejo River in the 1770s. His mission was to see if this unpredictable river could become a reliable trade route. The story follows his small expedition as they push their boats against the current, map unknown territory, and try to make contact with the indigenous communities living along the banks. It's a day-by-day log of hope, frustration, blistering heat, sudden storms, and the constant search for food and fresh water.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this special is its honesty. Morillo doesn't hide his worries or his failures. You feel the weight of his responsibility as his men get sick or when the river simply disappears into sand. It strips away the romantic myth of exploration and shows it for what it was: incredibly hard, often tedious, and dangerous work. You're not reading *about* history; you're reading history as it happened, with all its uncertainty intact.

Final Verdict

This is a fantastic pick for anyone who loves real-life adventure and primary sources. If you enjoy the journals of Lewis and Clark or the grounded travelogues of writers like Robert Macfarlane, you'll find a kindred spirit in Morillo. It's also great for readers curious about South American colonial history from a ground-level view, not a textbook summary. Just be ready for a journey that feels authentically tough, gritty, and human.