Undaunted Courage : Meriwether Lewis Thomas Jefferson And The Opening Of The American West

Rating:
Summary: Among the best of Ambrose's work
Review: Stephen Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage" tells the tale of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1803-1806. The journey, made when America's image was still being created, showed early 19th-century America at its best -- deploying the scientific legacy of Enlightenment and the potential for a respectful exploration of the lands and peoples of the American interior.

Stephen Ambrose restrains his sometimes-annoying habit of celebrating every American exploit and trains his sights on an event that captures the imagination of Americans and others fully two centuries later. As with other epic journeys in real life, the Lewis and Clark expedition was a team effort requiring the talents of many. From the inspiration granted by President Jefferson, to the organizational and scientific skills of Lewis and Clark, to the language and negotiation skills of Sacagawea, to the efforts, strength and resilience of the 40-some-odd others in the "Corps of Discovery," the expedition relied on the bravery, endurance and intellect of all.

The modern idea of "roughing it" involves driving an RV over an interstate highway into a pre-constructed campsite with electricity, running water and waste services. The Corps of Discovery schlepped a 55-foot boat and tons of supplies by hand up uncharted rivers, across plains cloudy with misery-inducing mosquitoes and among possibly-hostile natives. Losing only a single man, Lewis and Clark managed to reach the Pacific, map the interior of the continent and return with a wealth of information about the inhabitants of the land -- human, floral and faunal. Ambrose's description of the supplies that L&C took along (including plenty of poisonous mercury pills to combat the team's anticipated venereal excesses) were hilariously instructive. What would *you* bring on a 3-year voyage to chart an unknown and probably dangerous land?

Ambrose is at his best in this book, describing the courage and adaptability of Lewis and Clark without shying away from the trip's disappointments. From the point of view of the participants, the trip was somewhat of a bust -- no easy passage to the Pacific, and a loss of some samples and notebooks. The sad fate of some of the trek's participants underlines the reality that heroism is less seen in constant nobility and perfection than in facing the rugged, unknowable slog that requires simple endurance and the will to soldier on.

What an inspiring book!

Rating:
Summary: Incredible Journey
Review: This is the story of the greatest adventure ever to take place in the United States. It begins with Thomas Jefferson's selection and training of Meriwether Lewis, Lewis' selection of William Clark, and their four-year expedition across the continent in search of the all-water route to the Pacific. Although they obviously found no all-water route, they brought back an unimaginable amount off scientific, geographic, and anthropological information on the as-yet-unexplored (by white man) western territory. The hardships they endure, the discoveries, the quarrels, dangers, and ultimately, Meriwether Lewis' troubled and tragic life following the expedition have everything to make an incredible story. And the fact that it's true makes it even better. A truly amazing tale, told very well, as always, by Ambrose.