The Incredible Journey of Lewis and Clark

by Rhoda Blumberg

A lively, gritty account of Lewis and Clark's incredible journey west across uncharted North America -- a two-and-a-half year odyssey filled with danger, disappointment, and discovery. "Blumberg's eloquent narrative and meticulous research represents a dramatic blend of history and biography." -- Boston Globe.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Rhoda Blumberg has written about the opening of Japan (1853-1854) in Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun, a Newbery Honor Book, which also won the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and the Golden Kite Award. Her acclaimed histories also include The Incredible Journey of Lewis & Clark, The Great American Gold Rush, and The Remarkable Voyages of Captain Cook, all ALA Notable Books. She is the winner of the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to nonfiction.

Rhoda Blumberg says that while doing research for Commodore Perry, "I read about the ordeals and strange adventures of Manjiro, then spent years replaying his life story in my mind until I felt impelled to write about him."

The author and her husband, Gerald, live in Yorktown Heights, New York.

Reviews

[Jean Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little troubled with the author intrusions in this historical work but also delighted with the overall skillful telling. On one page is a map to the west and below it, a map from the west. I found myself referring to it frequently. The maps included a timeline. With the writing, I got a sense of urgency at times and a sense of languish and boredom in the winter stopovers.
This is a Scholastic imprint and was probably intended for the school market. The copyright is 1987 so I was surprised to see the honest accounts of sexuality. And equally unsurprised to see the cringeworthy references around race.
I would love to see an updated version of this fast paced, fact jammed account.

[Christian Holland · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of unnecessary mentions of how Indian men would let the white men sleep with their wives. It didn’t seem appropriate for a children’s book.

And it was so boring. I love the Lewis and Clark story. Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose is one of my favorite books, and I looked forward to sharing their adventures with my kids, but this book just didn’t hold their interest.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading this with my 10 yo, but has more than one reference to L&C's crew having sex with the natives, which I feel isn't super appropriate for a kids book. Otherwise interesting. (Well, so were those parts, just not ready to address this specific parts of history with my pre adolescent.)

[Casey Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a teacher with the intention to bring it into my classroom as a resource. While it provided a concise history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, I would not give it to children to read independently.

[Joanna Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fascinating story! I agree with the other reviews— some content may not be appropriate for kids…. 🧐

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The booked filled in a personal blank of American history detail. It is helpful, though distressing, to understand White American's views about American Natives and Blacks at that time. A good companion book is Rhonda Blumberg's "York's Adventures with Lewis and Clark". The Author honors the memories of York and Sacagawea with her research and writing.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice narrative of the Corps of Discovery expedition. Occasionally an interpretive view was given which was a little odd; however, other times it provided a balanced view.