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

Rating:
Summary: The title is an understatement!
Review: If you have any interest in the outdoors at all, read this. You will come away with a great appreciation for the courage, skill, determination, and luck of the men of the Corps of Discovery.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story, but poorly told
Review: The facts are there and the story could be so good, but Ambrose doesn't do it justice. No one comes alive in this book in spite of all the quotes and research. Additionally, Abrose's grammer is awful. Reading this book may be more exhausting and frustrating than the expedition was!

Rating:
Summary: Reads Like an Adventure Novel
Review: This book, which appears to be meticulously researched, chronicles perhaps the greatest adventure in which Americans ever participated that did not involve a war. All through this book, I could imagine myself as a member of this party experiencing this marvelous foray into the uncharted and unknown. All in all, a very fine book by a writer who possesses great skill. It is pleasing to see (by the number and enthusiasm of the reviews) such interest in this work of history.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding account of the expedition
Review: Fascinating account of Lewis, Clarke and Jefferson...great flow and style

Rating:
Summary: jefferson insight
Review: Although the book is concerned with Lewis and Clark, the underlying current leads the reader to glimpses of Thomas Jefferson and, by reading between the lines, one can see Jeffersonian ideas as we have not been used to in other books just a about this president.

Rating:
Summary: Walk in the moccasins of Lewis and Clark to see our country.
Review: Ambrose brings one of the most thrilling journeys of American history alive for the reader. I found myself able to imagine the plains covered with buffalo and the rigors of travel. I walked each of the 8,000 miles with the Corps of Discovery and was fascinated with every turn of the Missouri. The characters come alive as does the science and politics of early America. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of early America and the opening of the west.

Rating:
Summary: 8'000 Miles on Foot
Review: This is a labor of love, culminating 20 years of personal involvement. I am very glad indeed that Mr. Ambrose finally decided to write this book. As in other writings, the author leaves no doubt about his likes and dislikes. Clearly, he likes hte Indians better that most of his characters. As to their misdeeds, "all is forgiven". Only stealing doesn't sit so well. One must remember that Mr. Ambrose write about Meriwether Lewis and Thomas Jeffersom - and not primarily about the expedition. Therefore, I cannot figure out why he will not take a better guess at the last year's of Lewis' life. Clearly, the man had achieved his life's goal and was now rudderless and without purpose; that would explain why he never touched the journals again: all that had taken place in another life. The maps are awful. But the story is incredible, showing what a man can do if he gets off the couch....

Rating:
Summary: Eye opening study of a forgotten American hero
Review: Ambrose's study of Lewis was very instructive, in that it details a man's life, his many failings and achievements. Lewis never reached his potential, however, he acheieved more than most men would if they lived three lifetimes. Book should be read by all who are interested in the history of the United States and the price paid by individuals to create the nation we now know.

Rating:
Summary: Adventure,Adventure, Adventure!
Review: Hollywood should read this book if it wants for high adventure! An amazing insight to the L&C expedition. It delves into the amazing bravery that these men took and looks at the troubled nature of Captain Lewis.

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