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 Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West :: 0684826976
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| A biography of Meriwether Lewis that relies heavily on the journals of both Lewis and Clark, this book is also backed up by the author's personal travels along Lewis and Clark's route to the Pacific. Ambrose is not content to simply chronicle the events of the "Corps of Discovery" as the explorers called their ventures. He often pauses to assess the military leadership of Lewis and Clark, how they negotiated with various native peoples and what they reported to Jefferson. Though the expedition failed to find Jefferson's hoped for water route to the Pacific, it fired interest among fur traders and other Americans, changing the face of the West forever. Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
The Corps of Discovery comes alive in this author's capable story-telling talent. The personal introduction of how the Lewis and Clark adventure affected the author's life brings context and relevance to the story from the beginning and instills the author's passion in the reader. Taken from the logs written during the adventure, you are led to discover with them all that they discovered as if for the first time. You will never look at America west of the Mississippi quite the same way again. Your imagination will soar with the wild country it was not that long ago. More than dry scientific and anthropological studies, the Lewis and Clarke journals are an adventure travel log full of surprises and discovery. Mr. Ambrose has done an outstanding job of sharing his sense that history is an adventure. You will find it difficult to put this one down once you start.
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Author: Guest
It's amazing things turned out the way they did. What a fasinating time and journey it was. Although how lucky we are things turned the way they did.
Had it not been for Jefferson unremitting urge to explore westward, him reconizing the leadership and exploration abilities of Lewis and choosing him to exlpore personally; and Lewis choosing Clark, his perfect reciprocal to join him on the quest to the Pacific, things would of not turned out so lucky. Even with all that luck, Lewis and Clark were perhaps even more lucky they had not been killed by the Sioux or any of the other Indians they had encountered for their arrogance. This is prehaps their only foible in their almost perfect leadership.
The story is almost like some classic author would make up. But it's fasinating because it is real. If you like adventures, traveling into the unknown, dealings with hostile Indians were covet your belongings, couragous leadership, and scientific discoveries, and having to remain constantly on guard. This book is perfect for you. A must read for an expoloration fan. And without a doubt, a must read for any American.
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Author: Guest
I feel like maybe I missed something, given all the hype that surrounded this book. But I found that it didn't seem to add much to the subject matter: it seemed like a rather weak summary of the explorers journals. I keep feeling like I would have been better reading the primary source material or a different survey of that material. I like Ambrose's other works and am a avid history reader, but this one really feel short. The subject matter may simply not as suited to Ambrose's style. Someone like Robert Kaplan (Balkan Ghosts), Rebecca West (Black Lamb and Grey Falcon) or William Dalrymple (From the Holy Mountain) would have done a much better job of weaving in what Lewis and Clark were seeing and experiencing within the context of their times and pulled in additional material to illuminate the subject matter.
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Author: Guest
When I read this book it helped me get ahead in history amazingly. I may just be one of those odd people, but to me, the 200 year old mistakes and goof-ups were hilarious. Although he is descriptive, Ambrose does not mince words.
Although this book was technically written as a biography of Lewis, you see a fair amount of Clark as well. This book was easy to remember, and it served as a window into the age: you can easily imagine Clark patiently yanking thorns from his feet at a fireside, Sacagawea laughing and crying as she meets her brother again, York dancing enthusiasically and all the men taking part in riding and shooting competitions while they wait for the snow to melt.
For anyone researching Lewis and Clark, this is a must-read
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Author: Guest
i loved this book. i knew i would before picking it up, and i wonder if that had anything to do with the 5 star approval on my part. ambrose can tell history like no other. i tried a few other lewis and clark books, but i like a good story rather than history books, and this one is both.
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