First published 2001
Stephen Ambrose chronicles the life of Meriwether Lewis through his partnership with William Clark in leading the Corps of Discovery westward. Drawing from the explorers' own journals, Ambrose traces their expedition from its origins in Jefferson's vision to its completion at the Pacific Ocean. The author traveled the same route himself to understand the challenges Lewis and Clark faced. Ambrose examines how the two leaders commanded their men, handled encounters with Native American tribes, and reported their findings back to President Jefferson. While the expedition never located Jefferson's desired water passage to the Pacific, it sparked the imagination of fur traders and settlers who would transform the American West. This biography reveals both the personal story of Lewis and the broader impact of an expedition that opened a continent.
Genres: biography, history, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Pacific Ocean, American West
Period: 19th Century
Audio Cassette · Simon & Schuster Audio