The History of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
- ISBN-10
- 0486212696
- ISBN-13
- 9780486212692
- Category
- Columbia River
- Pages
- 1364
- Language
- English
- Published
- 1979
- Publisher
- Courier Dover Publications
- Authors
- Meriwether Lewis, William Clark
Description
From May 1804 to September 1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark undertook one of the great adventures of modern man. Their government-sponsored exploration of the wilderness between the Mississippi River and the Pacific covered, in total miles, a distance equal to one-third the circumference of the earth and took its participants through what is now mapped as Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Washington State, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon. It was an epoch-making expedition through one of the most magnificent geographical areas of the world. The story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is America’s national epic. Both men proved themselves not only intrepid pioneers but also acute observers and top-flight journalists. Their day-to-day journal filled thousands of pages with the most complete and authentic record of any exploring venture in history. But the world had to wait years for the story. In 1814, the only authorized history of the expedition, a personal narrative pieced together by Nicholas Biddle from the journal manuscript, finally appeared. While undeniably exciting, that publication left a lot to be desired. Only with the appearance, in 1893, of the four-volume Elliott Coues edition was the story told in such a way as to be both a thrilling narrative and a valuable document for students of Americana, historians, and all others interested in this vital chapter in the opening up of the American West. Now that four-volume set is reprinted in its entirety in a three-volume edition. Here is the whole story as summarized by Biddle: encounters with dozens of Indian tribes; descriptions of their political and social organization, dress, living habits, and ways; personal anecdotes of courage and stamina; vivid descriptions of staggering natural wonders that no white man had ever seen. Here, too, is all the material that Coues added: chapter synopses; critical footnotes that clarify hundreds of obscure references, add important biological data, provide modern locations of camp and exploration sites, bring into account additional material from the manuscript journal, and correct countless errors; a bibliographical introduction; brief Memoirs of Clark and the expedition’s sergeant, Patrick Gass; a modern map to supplement Lewis and Clark’s originals; and a much-needed index. Intended not only to further knowledge of North American geography but also to see the extension of American commerce, the Lewis and Clark Expedition marked the beginning of major growth in the United States. Partly because of this and partly because of its inherent excitement, this firsthand account should be read by every student of American history as well as by all who enjoy the adventure of exploration.
Get the book
Other editions
Similar books
-
The Journals of Lewis and Clark: A New Selection
By Meriwether Lewis, William ClarkAn account of the historic expedition of Lewis and Clark across the American Northwest.
-
The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 [eBook - RBdigital]
By Meriwether Lewis, William ClarkWith descriptions of Native American tribes and life-and-death struggles against the elements, this book will transport you to the early days of American exploration.
-
Journals and Orderly Book of Lewis and Clark, from the Shoshoni Camp on Lemhi River to the Encampment on the...
By Meriwether LewisJournals and Orderly Book of Lewis and Clark, from the Shoshoni Camp on Lemhi River to the Encampment on the...
-
Wheels of Fortune
By Francis SeufertA record of the world-famous fisheries and canneries in The Dalles, and the operation of the fish wheels and seines that annually garnered a silver fortune.
-
Carleton Watkins: The Stanford Albums
By Stanford University. Libraries, Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts at Stanford UniversityCollects the photographs of Carleton Watkins that contributed to the argument for creating the National Park Service, along with essays that explore the artist and his work providing context and depth to the images.
-
Original Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: pt. 1. Journals of Lewis and Clark, from Musquetoe Creek to Travellers...
By Meriwether LewisOriginal Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: pt. 1. Journals of Lewis and Clark, from Musquetoe Creek to Travellers...
-
Original Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: 1804-1806; Part 1 & 2 Volume 4
By Reuben Gold ThwaitesThis set was first published in 1904 from the manuscripts of the American Philosophical Society together with manuscript material of Lewis and Clark and from other sources including notebooks, letters and maps, and the journals of Charles ...
-
Last of the Rivermen
By Ray FadichLast of the Rivermen
-
Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
By Reuben Gold ThwaitesThis set was first published in 1904 from the manuscripts of the American Philosophical Society together with manuscript material of Lewis and Clark and from other sources including notebooks, letters and maps, and the journals of Charles ...