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Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson & the Opening of the American West
In this sweeping adventure story, Stephen E. Ambrose, the bestselling author of D-Day, presents the definitive account of one of the most momentous journeys in American history. Ambrose follows the Lewis and Clark Expedition from Thomas Jefferson's hope of finding a waterway to the Pacific, through the heart-stopping moments of the actual trip, to Lewis's lonely demise on
...morePaperback, 484 pages
Published
June 2nd 1997
by Simon & Schuster
(first published 1996)
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Lewis and Clark... the actual story.
This is the ultimate adventure. A bunch of dudes, in totally uncharted territory, trying to to make it there and back alive.
What I loved:
-it shows Indians both good and bad. Some Indians were incredibly gracious to the party. Others complete manipulative jerks. All of them wanted guns, all of them wanted tobacco, and all of them really really wanted whiskey. And they gave away their women for anyone to boink. I had t...more
This is the ultimate adventure. A bunch of dudes, in totally uncharted territory, trying to to make it there and back alive.
What I loved:
-it shows Indians both good and bad. Some Indians were incredibly gracious to the party. Others complete manipulative jerks. All of them wanted guns, all of them wanted tobacco, and all of them really really wanted whiskey. And they gave away their women for anyone to boink. I had t...more
Susan
rated it
Recommends it for:
Everyone who loves history and the courage displayed those who explored this great land, America
I have really enjoyed reading the notes made by Merriweather Lewis, and his relationship with his partner, William Clark. These were two men who really had "undaunted courage" and faced new challenges unknown to all others as they daily across this vast continent and to the Pacific Ocean and back again. This book tells about the relationship of these two men, apparently without conflict, or little, if any in the course of their exploration. In reading this book you can also learn a...more
I recently moved from the midwest to Oregon. Shortly after arriving here I realized that I needed to know about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. You can't really understand any region without basic exposure to it's history. It would be naive to think that happened here 200 years ago no longer has an impact on our daily life as Oregonians.
With that in mind, I started to read the online version of the L&C journals that are published on a website maintained by The University of Ne...more
With that in mind, I started to read the online version of the L&C journals that are published on a website maintained by The University of Ne...more
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I'm almost done with the book. Great. New insights. Learned about who Sakajewea (sp?) was and actually think she is a bit over rated. But that is beside the point. I learned a lot about Thomas Jefferson, the politics of the time, the trip to the Pacific and back (naturally), and the way this country was.
Interesting factoids contained in the book:
Squirril migration
Eating Dogs, Horses, roots and enjoying them
ONLY ONE MAN DIED!
Enjoy. It is a great boo...more
Interesting factoids contained in the book:
Squirril migration
Eating Dogs, Horses, roots and enjoying them
ONLY ONE MAN DIED!
Enjoy. It is a great boo...more
This biography of Meriwether Lewis must have been a daunting task and Stephen Ambrose was certainly up to it.
The sections of the book covering the Lewis and Clark Expedition are as well written as anything Ambrose has done. I felt like I was there with the "Corps of Discovery", as they were named, seeing the incredible plains and mountains of the unexplored American West for the first time.
I am familiar with some of the country and have actually stood at Three ...more
The sections of the book covering the Lewis and Clark Expedition are as well written as anything Ambrose has done. I felt like I was there with the "Corps of Discovery", as they were named, seeing the incredible plains and mountains of the unexplored American West for the first time.
I am familiar with some of the country and have actually stood at Three ...more
The oddest little historical fact that has stayed with me from reading this book is the squirrel migration. At the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition, there were apparently so many squirrels in this country, that the squirrels migrated seasonally like birds. Lewis and Clark witnessed them in large numbers swimming south across the river on which they were traveling. It was such a surprising and delightful little piece of information I had never known about before. It gives the reader a w...more
Kristen
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
hobby historians, environmentalists, and people who love the West
Recommended to Kristen by:
my Dad
Shelves:
history
Well-written. Long, but worth it if you are interested in the subject matter. Surprisingly, one of the most interesting things to me was the psychology that prompted Lewis and Clark to embark on such an adventure, and what kept them going. Also, I read with sadness about all the bison that used to roam the plains, before the white man decimated them and the rest of the western landscape...
It is also strangely current in the way that it illustrates government spending, since the whole...more
It is also strangely current in the way that it illustrates government spending, since the whole...more
This was extremely thorough and very good. He not only explains what happened but also Jefferson's mentality, Lewis' desire to please Jefferson, the complete naivety of the expedition toward the Indians they encountered and how much Sacajawea helped them but didn't get much recognition in the journals. I love the remedies for the men - amazing they lived through them. "Men woke up feeling poorly. We bled them, gave them some laxatives, bleed them some more, a good dose of mercury and we wer...more
If only history were taught this way. Undaunted Courage puts the reader in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they search for an east-west route to the Pacific, and, at the same time explore the flora and fauna of the Louisiana Purchase.
It's really an amazing true-life adventure when you consider the terrain, the Indians, the climate, the time, the distance and all the other perils of nature. Only one man from the expedition was lost and that was due to appendicitis. A great re...more
It's really an amazing true-life adventure when you consider the terrain, the Indians, the climate, the time, the distance and all the other perils of nature. Only one man from the expedition was lost and that was due to appendicitis. A great re...more
This book sat on my shelf for nearly a decade. As with the civil war and baseball, the "Ken Burns effect" extinguished any flicker of interest in the I had in the subject.
But yet, a brother-in-law had given it to me--and really liked it--so I couldn't throw it out. And my buddy Russell named his first born son after a member of the Lewis & Clark expedition. (You'll have to call him and ask. Hint:It's neither lewis nor clark nor Sacagawea). So I brought it with me on a tri...more
But yet, a brother-in-law had given it to me--and really liked it--so I couldn't throw it out. And my buddy Russell named his first born son after a member of the Lewis & Clark expedition. (You'll have to call him and ask. Hint:It's neither lewis nor clark nor Sacagawea). So I brought it with me on a tri...more
I "stole" this book from my Aunt Sharen during a recent visit to her home because my iPhone firmware had a fatal crash and I knew I'd need something to read on the flight back to San Diego. There were a series of books on her shelf about the Lewis and Clark expedition, which was a subject I'd often wanted to learn more about, but had never really had the motivation. Opportunity and necessity merged into one, and I brought this one home with me.
In short: excellent read. A...more
In short: excellent read. A...more
"Undaunted Courage", by Stephen Ambrose details the journey of Lewis and Clark across the American frontier. I read this book at the perfect time because the 200th anniversary is this year and I recently traveled across much of the same ground that Lewis and Clark did. Ambrose, if a bit un-academic at some points, is a fantastic writer and he relates the tale of the journey of the Corps of Discovery in riveting fashion. I never understood all the fuss about the anniversary of the ex...more
Cool. Cool. Cool. There was so much about the Lewis and Clark expedition that I didn't know. Did you ever realize that they were the first (white men) to document the existence of the coyote? How about the impact of their travels on American Indian policy over the next several decades? That when the trip was planned, they were going to be crossing foreign territory almost the entire distance? That Meriwether Lewis was groomed for years to lead the expedition by Thomas Jefferson, only to commit s...more
I pondered briefly giving this 4 stars, rather than 5, because of how long it took me to get through it. But then I realized it took so long because of its amazing thoroughness. Every single thing--every mile of the trip, every nuance of the time, every Native tribe they encountered, every possible outlook of every important decision that Lewis and Clark (and Thomas Jefferson) made--was given quick but thorough room in this book. I understand the time, and Thomas Jefferson, better than I had ...more
The narrative style of Ambrose takes what could be a dry lecture and makes it extremely interesting. The book reads like a best selling novel. The book gives a nice background on Captain Meriwether Lewis. It shows how this background prepared Lewis for the journey and how it provided the relationship he had with Jefferson to lead to his selection for the journey. Lewis was Jefferson’s personal secretary when selected to lead the voyage that would take him up the Missouri River, to wintering with...more
I am not a fan of Ambrose based on a couple of books I previously read. Maybe those were written later in his life and are not indicative of all his work. This one was a lot better than I expected but still is not something that will encourage me to read more by him. The story, of course, is interesting - the Lewis & Clark expedition. It is known, by most, by that name but I do not think most know that Lewis was the star and promoted Clark to a equally starring role. It's amazing that men so...more
Lewis is a hero, and I can just imagine how amazing this journey must have been. Of course, a courage undaunted bore him through, but also an incredible intelligence and knack. The audio book ends with a quotation from Thomas Jefferson about Lewis that is among the best things I've ever heard anyone say about anyone. I dream of adventures like this taken by the Corps of Discovery. Oh yeah, also it gave life to a really funny bit about Shoshone women and French fur traders. You'll ask, I'll ...more
This was a delightful novel and I was left with a lot of imagery about how refreshing I would find the nature and wildlife back during the days of the expedition (1803-1806). So often, I daydream about a place far from the hustle bustle big city life, where I might find quiet, fresh air and a slacker pace that I might do better to “get in touch with myself.”
I was saddened to learn that Lewis took his own life. Such a loss - a man so invigorated by love of country and his vision of ...more
I was saddened to learn that Lewis took his own life. Such a loss - a man so invigorated by love of country and his vision of ...more
There have been quite a few books written about the lives of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, but it is safe to say no one writes these historical biographies quite like Stephen E. Ambrose. The advantage with reading Ambrose is you get the entire story and then some!
Ambrose does not begin with the first steps Lewis took towards the Pacific, but the many steps involved in his succession as Captain, the development of his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and what led to Clark joinin...more
Ambrose does not begin with the first steps Lewis took towards the Pacific, but the many steps involved in his succession as Captain, the development of his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and what led to Clark joinin...more
Great reading (Listening in my case) of the first exploration(Wow... how close the words exploration and exploitation are) of the country (USA) west of Missisipi. Hats off to the pioneers Lewis and Clark, to their courage, to their Leadership, to their ability to deal with Indians who never saw whites (and those who did), to their eye for detail, to their contribution to Geobraphy, Botany and Zoology.
These two young men achieved so much at their age which most of us would not be able...more
These two young men achieved so much at their age which most of us would not be able...more
I have always been fascinated by the Lewis and Clark expedition. Ten or twelve years ago I asked my brother-in-law for a recommendation of a good book about the expedition. He recommended this book, and I read it then.
I really liked the book. It took me a little while to really get into it - the first few chapters deal extensively with Meriwether Lewis' background and upbringing. I was anxious to get on the road with the expedition. But that preliminary information was invaluable, s...more
I really liked the book. It took me a little while to really get into it - the first few chapters deal extensively with Meriwether Lewis' background and upbringing. I was anxious to get on the road with the expedition. But that preliminary information was invaluable, s...more
A wonderful book by a gifted historian, the first book by Ambrose that I had read (but not the last). For many people the Lewis & Clark expedition is just a unit in 8th grade history class, but Ambrose provides adults with a sophisticated and engaging study. More than just a biography of Meriwether Lewis, this is a window into an important era of American history, a time just prior to culture-changing inventions such as railroads and the telegraph. In Lewis & Clark's time, no human or piece of i...more
Reviewed by Jared:
Having read about famous explorers (Captain Cook), maligned--albeit incorecctly--captains (William Bligh), it was nice to read about a captain expanding the boundaries of the mapped world, while at the same time being admired by his unit. "The men of the expedition were linked together by uncommon experiences and by the certain knowledge that they were making history..."
What Lewis accomplished was just as heroic as that of Cook or Columbus. He en...more
Having read about famous explorers (Captain Cook), maligned--albeit incorecctly--captains (William Bligh), it was nice to read about a captain expanding the boundaries of the mapped world, while at the same time being admired by his unit. "The men of the expedition were linked together by uncommon experiences and by the certain knowledge that they were making history..."
What Lewis accomplished was just as heroic as that of Cook or Columbus. He en...more
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A fascinating history of the exploration of land purchased by Jefferson west of the Mississipi. I enjoyed reading about the preparations for the corps of discovery almost as much as the actual voyage ! The men had to try to think of EVERYTHING they might need ... no department stores enroute !! One interesting tidbit was their preparation of medicines they thought they'd need ... Lewis was a sort of amateur herbalist ... His mom was very knowledgeable in herbal cures and remedies and taught hi...more
Perhaps I would have liked this book better if I had known what to expect ahead of time. First and foremost, this book is not the fast-paced adventure story of the Lewis and Clark expedition that I was hoping to read. It is an academic biography of Meriwether Lewis, with particular focus on the expedition (likely because that is he best-documented part of his life).
Academic: The narrative is good in places, but lacks rhythm overall. Ambrose relies far too much on extended, direct ...more
Academic: The narrative is good in places, but lacks rhythm overall. Ambrose relies far too much on extended, direct ...more
I think I was reading this book for 3 months, but despite that, I really enjoyed it. It was a slow read, not quite a page-turner, but Ambrose tried. He ended each chapter with some anticipation of what was to come, such as the portage Lewis and Clark had to undergo to get through the Missouri River Great Falls. The descriptions of new flora and fauna I thought were interesting and the character analysis of Lewis was also one of the higher points. Indian interactions were written in great det...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Perhaps no other journey, save the landings on the moon, has fired the American imagination like the expedition of Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean and back. It is the story of the opening of the American West, of an incredible tale of leadership and personal hardship, and it offers a first glimpse into an unknown native world that no longer exists. Undaunted Courage is Ambrose’s attempt at placing the Lewis and Clark expedition within the context of the early years of the American republic,...more
This was definitely "my kind of book." It's the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition of exploration, 1803-1806. More specifically, it's the story of the life of Meriwether Lewis as the leader of that expedition. We learn about Lewis' early life and experiences in Virginia that prepared him for the great expedition. The author does a wonderful job of setting the stage, and then walking us through the entire dramatic trip and its aftermath.
The vision for the expedition came ...more
The vision for the expedition came ...more
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Stephen Edward Ambrose was an American historian and biographer of U.S. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Richard M. Nixon. He received his Ph.D. in 1960 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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