The Death of Meriwether Lewis: A Historic Crime Scene Investigation

by James E. Starrs

Nearly two centuries later, mystery continues to surround Meriwether Lewis’s death— did the famous explorer commit suicide or was he murdered? Recently revealed truths and deconstructed myths are woven together in this fascinating account to form an unforgettable tale of political corruption, assassins, forged documents, and skeletal remains. New research implicating General James Wilkinson—commanding general of the U.S. Army and co-conspirator of Aaron Burr—as the assassin is thoroughly discussed, while riveting testimony from 13 leading experts in wound ballistics, forensic anthropology, suicide psychology, grave-site exhumation, and handwriting analysis offers new insight into what Lewis’s exhumed remains reveal.

Genres: True Crime, History

366 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. A bit dry and a little difficult to get into, but once I was engaged, it was fascinating. I even wrote a blog post about the whole thing. For anyone interested in obscure history, this might be a good one to take a gander at. It wasn't the best thing I've ever read, but it was well researched and thorough

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm interested in history and had heard that there was controversy over how Meriwether Lewis died, but didn't really get into it. So when I saw this book, I jumped on the chance to read it. Now, I wish I wouldn't have. This book just wasn't for me. It did awaken my interest but it was poorly designed. The first 200 pages or so are court transcript which was mind numbing considering the author had already told you the outcome in the forward. The second two sections were a little more interesting but not much. This book would have been better served if presented in a narrative format with the last section first. I think people would be interested in the whole murder vs. suicide aspect if it was solved however there is still work to be done on this and the book should have waited until everything was completed instead of trying to be first for the money grab. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone especially a historian looking for facts.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a crime scene investigation, it begins with more than 200 pages of "expert testimony" at an inquest as to whether or not to exhume the body of "Lewis and Clark's" Meriwether Lewis.

It is so persuasive that you'll start to think that the story of Lewis' death is perhaps more important than the Lewis and Clark expedition. If you think politicians today are creepy and crooked, just wait til you see some of the creeps that Meriwether Lewis had to cope with.

My only complaint is that it is like a mystery book with the final page missing. Perhaps they should have waited to publish the book AFTER the results of the exhumation.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a good bit of info about the case. This is not a story. It is a summary of documentary info regardin Meriweather Lewis'life and the events around his death. Half of this book is a transcript of the Coroners Inquest into the 1996 exhumation request which was approved in 1996 but has not yet been carried out because of all the procedural delays in opening a national historic landmark. Too bad, I'd like to see the exhumation occur and determine if there is any remaining evidence to confirm the suspiciion of assassination.

[Annette · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not well written. In fact, some parts of it aren't truly "written" but are merely transcripts of an inquest. However, if you're interested in the question of whether Meriwether Lewis was murdered or committed suicide, you may want to at least skim this book.