Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding telling of a saga that defined America.
Review: This is my first experience with Stephen Ambrose, but it will certainly not be my last. History at its best is not a recitation of dates and figures, but an understanding of people, thought, economics and how the dates and figures relate to the living, breathing people of the day. Part and parcel of this is an understanding of the personal quirks and foibles that force historical figures down one road rather than another. Undaunted Courage contains all of these elements and more. The mistakes and triumphs of the first American foray into terra incognita are told with care and detail and allow a true understanding of this amazing journey. I highly recommend this story to any student of history or afficionado of adventure tales. Both will be more than satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: History that reads like fiction!
Review: Ambrose has accomplished what few have . . . history that reads like fiction. Ambrose takes you on the journey with Lewis and Clark, allows you to experience the marvels of sight, sound, and emotional ups and downs that the entire group that completed the journey must have felt. He enlivens history.
I recommend history teachers of all levels of school seriously consider requiring their students to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Best History Book I've Ever Read!
Review: Undaunted Courage is, without a doubt, the most
interesting history book that I've ever read.
There is one chapter in particular that reads
as if it were a novel. Hard to put this book down
and I highly recommend it to anyone interested
in this era of our nation's history.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing!
Review: I'm actually in the middle of this book. It's completely fascinating! Lewis' descriptions of seeing thousands of animals grazing about leaves me breathless. One can only imagine what virgin sights unfolded before his eyes. Nature at its finest! Unspoiled, verdant landscapes! It's gratifying to know that Lewis was aware of his place in history and was appropriately awed! A great book! Can't wait to finish it.
Rating:
Summary: Opening of the American West
Review: Coming from a different culture, I was provided with an accurate, comprehensive and exciting introduction to early american history including slavery in early America, drive and foresight of Thomas Jefferson, rigors of the expedition that found a way (although not an all water route that Jefferson would have liked), Louisiana Purchase, native american traditions and the early american perspectives on dealing with the natives etc., reading this book. The narrative, especially, the quoted Lewis's words are interesting. Though spelling that was used is outrageous in those times, it never once hindered my reading the book. This is a gripping account of a critical chapter of American history
Rating:
Summary: A cheaper version of the Lewis and Clark Expo.
Review: Full of real people, animals, fern and fauna. Adventure and insight of the wilderness, as no one will ever see again. The author, Stephen Ambrose inspired by his own personal interest in the expedition, swiftly takes you down the rivers, across the plains, and through the mountains; through the eyes of Meriwether Lewis. The account of the Indians is also facinating, in how we first represented ourselves, an impression that continued for the next 100 years. Could not put this book down!
Rating:
Summary: An outrageously good historical adventure; superb!
Review: I have not read a book this fine in at least a decade. The pace, the soundness of judgement, the quality of the research, and the overall excitement of the trip reported make this a terrific, truly unforgettable piece of writing. I have recommended it to dozens of friends, and now via the Net perhaps a stranger or two! If you are curious about the early expansion of the U.S., the nature of European-Native American interaction, the politics of the Jeffersonian era, or the physical rigors confronted by Lewis and Clark, the anguish of slavery in 19th century America, you will enjoy this book
Rating: 
Summary: A for content; C for writing
Review: If my history teacher had graded this book, she no
doubt would have reminded us that we cannot forget good writing when we leave English class. The content was fascinating, but the style was
turgid and boring. Ironically, Anbrose criticizes
Lewis' writing in a sentence that is 8 1/2 lines
long!
I learned a lot about the times in which Lewis lived, but what was surprisingly weak was the
sense of wonder at the magnificent discoveries the expedition made.
This was especially surprising in light of
Ambrose's personal interest in the outdoors.
It was an interesting book, but why is everyone
raving
Rating:
Summary: What More Could You Ask For?
Review: What a read! This book captivates from the beginning and hold on until the bitter end. A spectacular story put beautifully on paper by Ambrose. Ambrose's book sheds new light on the history of this fascinating expedition. A read I would reccommend to anyone
Rating:
Summary: I wish I had it to read all over again
Review: I loved this book and its evocation of a time when nothing -- no thought, no business, no commerce -- traveled faster than a horse. This is historical writing and reading at its best
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