Rating: 
Summary: Good but seriously flawed by political correctness
Review: Ambrose has written a well-researched retelling of Lewis's explorations that is seriously flawed by political correctness. This comes out in the second chapter when Ambrose takes a long aside to preach about the evils of slavery, the environmentally destructive farming practices of Virginia's gentry, and the plight of women in the late 1700's--none of which has anything to do with Lewis's later explorations. I can only think of a few reasons why Ambrose did this--one is so he could get the book on required class reading lists at PC colleges and universities that require that type of twaddle from authors, or he is an elitist and actually beleives this pandering garbage. It is too bad. Ambrose sticks in his little diatribes all through the book. If you can see your way past them to really learn about Lewis's explorations, it is a good read, but be prepared to have to thread your way through the PC flotsam. -Paul Foote
Rating: 
Summary: A good read BUT questions remain
Review: I liked the book. It was engrossing at times, a little slow at other points but very much worth reading. One question kept haunting me throughout the book; "was Lewis homosexual?". Very little was mentioned about his sexual desires. My reasons are these: He did not partake the pleasures of any of the Indian women (and he was away a long time). He often entered into close male relationships but none female. One woman got away but he didn't seem to put up much of a fight. The author seemed to skirt around the issue and made a few casual references to women, but I felt like it was forced. Lewis went from being a near perfect person throughout the book until the end where he couldn't do anything right. Either the author had an overly inflated view of Lewis or maybe Lewis had some demons to wrestle with upon his return.
Rating: 
Summary: PURELY AWESOME
Review: I don't see how anyone could rate this book as less than the most enjoyable biography of the 90's.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much detail, dryly written
Review: This book was very dissapointing. I started it thinking I was going to learn some history and get a good adventure story at the same time. Instead, I got really bogged down about half way through the book in all the minute details of Lewis and Clark's trip-- first they walked here, then they walked there, then one tripped, then the other yawned, etc. After a while it was all the same, and I didn't much care what happened to them. It was all I could do to finish this book. The most interesting parts were the first few chapters, where the reasons for the journey and the climate of the times were discussed. I don't understand how so many readers can rave about this book.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating portrait of Lewis and Clark
Review: This book is a must read for anyone who has even a passing interest in American History. As a teacher of U.S. History, this book has helped me understand and appreciate the importance of this momentous journey in regards to the eventual settling of the frontier.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible historical work!
Review: Stephen Ambrose has created a gripping, well-researched treatment of one of the more quintessentially American stories. For fans of non-fiction and fiction alike, this is a real page-turner!
Rating:
Summary: Connects the reader to an important part of America's past.
Review: High adventure, personal courage, leadership, faith. They're all splendidly recounted in one of history's greatest adventure stories -- most amazing because it actually happened. An excellent narrative history, this is the kind of book that can connect one to this country's past. Lewis and Clark become much more than the reference point most of us learned about in school. Their struggles as well as personal failings are well detailed making the journey of these remarkable individuals a wonderful yarn.
Rating:
Summary: Review of Stephen Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage"
Review: I bought this book based on a book review in Time magazine. The article praised the author and book, and I was not disapointed. The historical facts, geography, and interesting sub-plots are artfully spun together to make for a very interesting book. I was not too familiar with the locations covered by the expedition, and found myself referring to an atlas to better visualize where the expedition was at certain times. My only complaints are that some issues and/or events are described two or three times in different chapters, and that the maps in the book are inadequate for the rich and detailed narrative.
Rating:
Summary: Good P.R. begets sales, I guess.
Review: Here is an example of a book that is sold as being almost as monumental as the events it conerns. While no one can deny the achievements of Lewis ( and I almost forgot Clark ) the book is, lets face it, an unadultereated adulatory portrait of a man with serious flaws. The final chapters of the book, which deal with Lewis's post expedition years, are in my mind a ratification of the monumental ego of the man. His behaviour throughout caused me to ask the question: would I have liked this man in person? On finishing the book, I couldn't decide whether I disliked Lewis the man or Lewis as portrayed therein. And for what its worth, the hero of the expedition as far as I'm concerned, was Clark for tolerating Lewis.
Rating:
Summary: What can I say-An instant CLASSIC
Review: The greatest strength of the book (despite the granduer of the opening of the West) is the end. When we see the end of Merriwether Lewis it leaves us gasping in pain and sadness for greatness destroyed. Mr. Ambrose doesn't stint on his hero (as he shouldn't) and the pain of his writing is palpable. A must read for Americans of all stripes and ages.-Kelly Whiting
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