Undaunted Courage

Meriwether Lewis Thomas Jefferson And The Opening Of The American West

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

From the New York Times bestselling author of Band of Brothers and D-Day, the definitive book on Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, the most momentous expedition in American history and one of the great adventure stories of all time.

In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson selected his personal secretary, Captain Meriwether Lewis, to lead a voyage up the Missouri River to the Rockies, over the mountains, down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean, and back. Lewis and his partner, Captain William Clark, made the first map of the trans-Mississippi West, provided invaluable scientific data on the flora and fauna of the Louisiana Purchase territory, and established the American claim to Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Ambrose has pieced together previously unknown information about weather, terrain, and medical knowledge at the time to provide a vivid backdrop for the expedition. Lewis is supported by a rich variety of colorful characters, first of all Jefferson himself, whose interest in exploring and acquiring the American West went back thirty years. Next comes Clark, a rugged frontiersman whose love for Lewis matched Jefferson’s. There are numerous Indian chiefs, and Sacagawea, the Indian girl who accompanied the expedition, along with the French-Indian hunter Drouillard, the great naturalists of Philadelphia, the French and Spanish fur traders of St. Louis, John Quincy Adams, and many more leading political, scientific, and military figures of the turn of the century.

High adventure, high politics, suspense, drama, and diplomacy combine with high romance and personal tragedy to make this outstanding work of scholarship as readable as a novel.©1996 Ambrose-Tubbs Inc. (P)1996 Books on Tape Inc., All Rights Reserved; AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon and Schuster Audio Division, Simon and Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

Ken Burns Stephen Ambrose is that rare breed: a historian with true passion for his subject. Here he takes one of the great, but also one of the most superficially considered, stories in American history and breathes fresh life into it. Lewis comes alive as we've never known him.

Undainted Courage

I found this book informative about Lewis' life, however I felt robbed by it's abrupt ending. It failed to follow their adventure until it's end, and cover the details of their return and national response. I wish it had cover the journey in it's entirety. Some parts were very detailed- the preparation for the journey and was somewhat slow- but I would read it again, for the majority good parts and details of time of Discovery and exploration of our great country.

Fascinating

This was a fascinating adventure, well written and well told. I enjoyed every minute of it and am glad I opted for the unabridged edition. I still can't believe their accomplishments--they are truly a treasure.

Fascinating, but ultimately quite a downer

This is a great story, but one that raises many regrets with the benefit of historical hindsight. What a land Lewis & Clark explored! But what a tragedy in light of what we know to have happened to the native peoples and to the animal populations. Then of course the book finisishes with Lewis's spiral into suicide. Altogether, the book left me in a very depressed frame of mind.

Very Good Survey of Lewis and Clarke

Ambrose seems to be very concise, enjoyable, and educational. I learned about exactly as much as I wanted to, without the book ever dragging or feeling tedious. This book was a good survey of Lewis and Clarke's trip; not the only book out there or the most detailed, but written for everybody. If you find yourself wanting a bit more detail, try the 4 CD Biddle version of the diaries of Lewis and Clarke. I have been listening to those now and feel they are of some added benefit to flesh out the characters and providing some Native legends and myths.

I felt the narration was adequate. The actor did not distract me or take away from the book, though he also did not wow me or steal the show. Characters have a little individuality though he mostly reads things "straight" or flat or whatever word you prefer. I think that is as things should be. The author is very witty and provides his own tone and flavor. There is a little repetition near the end after the journey where Ambrose makes conclusions, but that is nitpicking. Great read.

Undaunted Courage

I've read the book, I've listended to the audio and I'll do both again and again. I've recommended the book to people who have not read history since college and they all have the same conculsion.