Undaunted Courage : Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West

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Summary: A wonderfully told and compelling story.
Review: Ambrose provides wonderful insight and analyis into one of the seminal events in US history. The book lives up to the events it chronicles. The reader gains a tremendous feel for the time and the actors in this great drama.

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Summary: Simply wonderful
Review: A close look at the American people and their cultures at the turn of the ninteenth century, from the native Americans to the new American settlers. A look into the established communities in the east, the frontier communities on the great rivers to the west and the native American communities in the unexplored territories. All set in the marvelous grandeur of the Louisiana Territory and the Columbia River. Brought together in a superb narrative by Ambrose, as told in the diaries Lewis & Clark. The daunting adventure experienced by a group of courageous explorers, their guide Sacagawea and her family. This is a MUST read for every American.

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Summary: Well researched and written. A bit dry in places.
Review: The book is well written and well researched. Extensive bibliography for those who want to know more. The book does have some dry portions, but these are probably necessary to better explain what forces developed and guided the players.

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Summary: A must read for all students of history
Review: Stephen Ambrose has brought to light one of the most under-taught subject in our school system. This book places you with the members of the Corps of Discovery in such away that you can even picture each sight, each sound, and each emotion felt by those courageous men. Opens one up to the ideology that would later be known as "Manifest Destiny" and Thomas Jeffersons "Sea to Shining Sea"

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Summary: Interesting subject matter but tedious at times.
Review: This is a very interesting book but can get a bit tedious at times. The most interesting parts are the descriptions of the behavior of the Native American cutlures, as described in Lewis' journals and the post expedition lives of Lewis and Clark. I was inspired to spend a great deal of my summer vacation retracing the journey of Lewis and Clark after reading this book.

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Summary: Another interesting Corp of Discovery....
Review: I enjoyed this book. I have read several books on the Lewis and Clark Journey, and I would rate it as one of the best. You are with Lewis and Clark. I would, however, recommend Dayton Duncan's Out West to accompany this book.

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Summary: I Felt A Member of the Corps of Discovery
Review: For many American's "Lewis and Clark" is a cliche` -- a meaningful but old story lacking depth and feeling. Ambrose, in his somewhat rough, candid style, brings the reader into the adventure. As you read you walk the miles, scale the rocks, feel the deprivation, thrill at the vistas, The book is well researched, and Ambrose can be forgiven for some latitude in assuming the content of certain conversations that are undocumented. Ambrose is especially honest in pointing out the role good fortune had in complementing the courage and skill of Lewis, Clark and the Corps. Often lost, but not ignored here, is the importance of Native Americans besides Sacagawea. Ambrose is clear that the expedition may not have survived, let along been successful, without the support of the Mandan, Clatsop and Nez Perce tribes. The irony of later U.S. policy toward these (and other) tribes is not lost. Indeed, Ambrose is correct in pointing out that U.S. exploitation of Native peoples was a strategy long before later provocations. Although Ambrose's prose does not always rise to the story, I found myself wanting to grab my boots, load up my backpack, and head for Lemhi Pass.

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Summary: Very well detailed account of our journey to the Pacific
Review: Ambrose meticulously recounts the men and woman who courageously risked everything to find a water route to the west. His meeting with the grizzly bear and encounters with the Sioux are masterfully described.

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Summary: Focused and spell binding, draws you in!
Review: For students of American history, this is simply not to be missed. This book will no doubt become a must read for students and historical hobbyists everywhere. I predict that the book will further stimulate travelers making the pilgrimage along the famous route. The author brings scenery and the terrain to life; you feel like you were there when you've finished a chapter. The commentary on the leadership of Lewis and Clark is unique, balanced, detailed and fair. While clearly a fan of the two explorers, he does not hesitate to note his opinions, which he discusses in detail, of errors of judgement and the fortunes of luck. He notes clearly that the success of the journey, and of their safety, rested on a occasional encounters with small numbers of friendly native Americans, most of whose names are lost to history. The stories of the teenage boys who led them eastward back across the mountains was especially poignant. While not a comprehensive book detailing the full scope of politics of the time, the book weaves the journey into the national debates and conflicts between Jefferson and Congress. Contains an excellent biography for further reading. In addition, there were several excellent maps (although the inclusion of current state lines would have been useful).

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Summary: A history book that's not just for historians.
Review: I read many biographies and history books; they comprise almost half of my pleasure reading. This book will probably be the best of that type that I'll read in 1998. Ambrose brings the expedition alive, to the point where you try to understand how you would attempt to keep warm, find your way through the wilderness without maps, and trek and canoe across the vast western half of the United States. That Lewis was so young when charged with so much responsibility says much of his abilities. That upon his return he failed to function successfully, with tragic results, isn't surprising when you reach that point in the book. I was also delighted to get so much of the Jefferson part of the story in this book, too, as I've long considered him one of the handful of best Presidents this nation has ever had -- the Lewis & Clark Expedition being one example of his foresight.