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Summary: The Greatest American Adventure
Review: Ambrose began with some background on Lewis and Jefferson, the political circumstances of the time and how the expedition was organized. He then told the tale of the trip itself and finished with a short aftermath touching on Lewis and Clark's post-expedition activities, Lewis' untimely death and Jefferson's frustrations at not having a final narrative of the journals.So many great stories here: the exedition's wintering in North Dakota (at 45 below zero); their close calls with grizzly bears and near starvation in the Bitterroots; their many interactions with the Indians; Lewis' discovery of the Great Falls of the Missouri; the first vote by a woman and a black man on the North American continent; Lewis accidently getting shot by one of his own men; etc., etc. Too many vignettes to list and Ambrose brings each one to life. You can smell the smoke of their fires and feel the cactus punching through the soles of their elkskin mocossins. The maps are first class too. I appreciated the clear layout of the topography showing where these events took place with respect to modern day cities and roads and have used them to follow parts of the Lewis & Clark Trail. The fact that the Lewis & Clark Expedition was a passion of Stephen Ambrose really came through in this great book and made for some exhilerating writing. (Ambrose started camping along the trail in 1976 and maintained a home in Helena, MT.) There are times I literally got goosebumps while reading and closed the book with a deep sigh, prompting my wife to ask, "What?!" Fascinating - educational - very readable.
Undaunted Courage gets my highest recommendation.
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Summary: History Made Interesting
Review: I always enjoy books that make history interesting. As a prolific reader of history, I can highly recommend "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose as one of those books. Also recommended: "West Point: Character Leadership Education... Thomas Jefferson" by Norman Thomas Remick.
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Summary: Ambrose's Best Book
Review: In 1804 Lewis and Clark set out for the unknown. This journey would take them across the content, there they would have to be a combination of scientists, explorers, diplomats and soldiers. Steven Ambrose did a wonderful job with this book it really helps to bring the characters to life, not just as bland historical figures that you see in most books. Overall-If you like a good book that deals with REAL historical figures get this book.
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Summary: Best account of the Lewis and Clark adventure
Review: Like all of his books, Ambrose does his best to make history come alive. The book starts with the birth of Meriweather Lewis and ends with his death. It tells the story of the Corps of Discovery's mission to the west coast and back and also gives good supporting information about everything having to do with the United States at the same time. Ambrose focuses more on Lewis because during the same time he was writing this book, someone else was giving a detailed account of the life of William Clark. The book does however give more than a glimpse into most if not all of the members of the Corps of Discovery. Ambrose writes the book the way every history book should be written. Throughout the entire book, you feel like you are walking with Lewis; you want to be right along side him as he sees the White Cliffs, the herds of buffalo and elk and the Chinooks. I have no reservations in recommending this to anyone who would like to learn more about the United States and those who helped form it.
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Summary: Incredible Journey, Terrific Book
Review: Ambrose did a fantastic job of chronicling the journey of Lewis and Clark. When I first heard about it, I knew I had to have it. It's one of those books I had a hard time putting down to go to bed. A lot of history and a lot of great information about America's past
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Summary: A miraculous legend
Review: I purchased this book after being inspired by the Ken Burn's documentary on the Corps of Discovery. After being mesmerized by Burn's film, I became immediately immersed in this fascinating legend. The book chronologically follows the story from Jefferson's vision of the trip through the journey itself to Meriwether Lewis' untimely and mysterious death. Along the way the reader becomes intimately familiar with the mental challenges that Lewis must have endured during his grueling adventure as well as the physical demands placed on the entire expedition. Most fascinating are the descriptions of the terrain and the native people that the Corps encounter. Ambrose's description of the Corps' experience as they first enter the vast plains of the midwest was reminiscent of the Garden of Eden; a land so amazingly rich and beautiful. It provides great insight into the pristine habitat that American settlers found as they journeyed West. In my opinion, Undaunted Courage is superior to the other Ambrose books I have read (D-Day and Citizen Soldiers). The insight into Lewis is a fascinating character study wrapped in a wonderful adventure. A must read for the fan of early American history.
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Summary: Journey into the unknown
Review: This book has Meriwether Lewis as its focus, and Ambrose shows all the attributes and failings of the explorer. Lewis and Clark led an expedition up the Missouri River, through Indian country, across the Continental Divide, all the way to the Pacific. Commissioned by President Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, this book foreshadows the future movements of people into lands populated by the wildlife and the natives, and the clash of cultures that would ensue. Lewis is shown as a man of great zest and perserverance, as well as being a product of his era, arrogant to a fault and possessing the prejudices of the time. The first half of the trip is well detailed, as the expedition gets together, sets out and travels through potentially hostile Sioux country. The trip was full of triumphs and disappointments as well, and the potential of danger was always there, such as with the incident with the Blackfoot Indians on the return home. Certainly this is a must read for anyone interested in the opening of the West in the 19th century.
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Summary: undaunted courage
Review: This book is a moving experience; transporting the reader along the journey. It is vivid and continually interesting; one of the best books I ever read. It is an uplifting and inspirational story of ingenuity, leadership and tenacity. It is rich with the lessons of human endurance and conquest. Ambrose is a true genius of a writer. I predict you will feel like a better American after this read.
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Summary: A Great Book
Review: I won't take much of your time, just enough to say, "This is a great book!" (and maybe expand a little on that) I read it about a year ago, and I will undoubtedly read it several more times in my life. It's a story well-told! Action, adventure, history, politics, geography ... and even a good measure of sex thrown in so there's something for everyone! Although a reader of this book knows the eventual ending to the story (the Corps of Discovery made it back safely!), it is still cram-packed with details and "little known facts" that will surprise all but the hardcore historians. This book re-awakened a passion inside me to discover more about the great nation in which I live (my fellow Americans know what I'm talking about.) I have also re-discovered the pleasure of reading versus watching television as my primary source of information and entertainment. When a book inspires a long-dormant reader to turn off the TV and return to the library...well I can't think of a greater compliment to an author's work or a stronger suggestion to READ IT FOR YOURSELF!
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Summary: America - Manifest Destiny
Review: Undaunted Courage is a wonderful piece of literature. Both as a look at the history of our country and as an entertaining comparison between life now and then. Ambrose does a great job of foretelling the expedition with reasons for the trek across the continent and back. By providing background about the British, French and Spanish nation's motives for occupying the West, we get a good idea why this expedition was necessary. Along with other nation's motives, we are provided a good deal of information on Jefferson's own reasons for the expedition. Can you imagine how history would've changed had we not acquired the Louisiana Territory? Perhaps a battle on two fronts during the War of 1812? Being reacquired by the British? This book will make you delve further into the beginnings of our country at the least. If you are the outdoors type and enjoy camping, then you will have another great reason to read this book, as it does a great job of going into detail about the logistics of such an expedition. Food, shelter, clothing and Indian War Parties are all covered. Also, you will happen across all of the great Indian tribes along the trail and learn a little about each. At the end of the book, you will be amazed at how communication was accomplished on a daily basis between Lewis and the government in Washington. In addition, how business was conducted along the Missouri River would be a scandalis affair in present times. A real eye opener. I reccomend this book to all audiences.
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