Customer Reviews

Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery: An Illustrated History

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Duncan uses a variety of forms to paint a wonderfully realistic picture of the expedition, its hardships, its glory and its danger. He weaves together quotes from many of the explorers' journals, actual photographs of their journals with drawings and maps, photographs and paintings of scenes along the trail as well as his own well-crafted narrative. I devoured the book in a five-hour plane ride and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I'm sure that it is not a comprehensive description of all that is known about Lewis and Clark, but it was brief enough to keep a casually interested reader involved and thorough enough to provide some real richness and color to the story and to intrigue me enough to plan a visit to some sites along the trail.

I give high praise to this book and this reading. You will learn so much about the journey, and you'll feel the cold of the winters and the wonderment of their adventures. Taken from their actual journals, this book is even better than "Undaunted Courage". p.s. the unabridged is even better.

This book was so hard to put down! The way the author combines the facts with the actual quotes from the Lewis and Clark journals (complete with spelling errors), the original sketches and descriptions by Lewis and Clark, old pictures and paintings, and the attention to the sequencing (i.e., he walks you straight through the entire journey and makes it flow) really makes this book come alive for me. I highly recommend it!!

I liked this book very much because Duncan doesn't go into boring details about everything little thing. He explained the main points and the interesting ones without the boring insignificant details. If your interested in learning about Lewis and Clark, I would read this book first before reading an in-depth book.

This book is an "easy to read" introduction to the journey of the Corps of Discovery and the official companion book to Ken Burn's PBS documentary. I keep it handy when I'm re-reading Ambrose's classic book Undaunted Courage. What highlights this book are the numerous illustrations, paintings, journal sketches, photographs, and film images taken from the PBS documentary, something visual appears on almost every page. Numerous pages from Lewis and Clark diaries have been reproduced, including a few maps,descriptions of unknown birds and animals, lists of gifts to be given to natives, the code matrix used to send secret messages to President Jefferson, list of provisions, etc. Scattered throughout the text are modern day color photographs and paintings of various locations along the journey, including numerous side box commentary and page long essays to help the reader understand the danger and challenges of trailblazing.
This journey was truly a monumental physical, mental and spiritual journey. Besides Lewis and Clark, four other members of the Corps of Discovery kept journals and are often quoted. I felt like I was there with them, experiencing their raw emotion, sometimes turbulent spirits, but above all, constant surprise and discovery along the trail. The authors spend significant time describing the culturally diverse native populations they encounter along the way, and you'll find out why some tribes became obstacles while others were crucial to their success. If you enjoyed reading the book Undaunted Courage, you will also want this illustrated history loaded with color and B/W photos, charts, paitings, sketches,etc. on almost every page (albeit it short on maps). You won't be dissappointed!

This book was so hard to put down! The way the author combines the facts with the actual quotes from the Lewis and Clark journals (complete with spelling errors), the original sketches and descriptions by Lewis and Clark, old pictures and paintings, and the attention to the sequencing (i.e., he walks you straight through the entire journey and makes it flow) really makes this book come alive for me. I highly recommend it!!

I listened to the audio while I did household chores. I don't quibble with the fact that this was an astonishing feat. I don't think most people understand just how astonishing. Here was a group of men without the medicine, the transportation, the wildlife knowledge, the below zero clothing/gear, the freeze-dried foods we have today---yet this party trekked through the virgin territory between our coasts and back. Important to note also, throughout this trip they were able to somehow retain their scalps from some seriously hostile Indian tribes.

The authors (at least in the audio version) move quickly over undoubtedly some of the toughest parts of the journey. For example, when the party trekked through massive, frigid mountain ranges, very little is explained regarding how they did so without losing various appendages to starvation and frostbite.

Strangely, in spite of what I relate above, I was much more impressed by the actual feat accomplished than the writing of the book. The book itself in audio was just okay. I would not listen to it again, if that tells you anything. I don't know if anyone has penned a better rendition of the trek or not; all I can tell you is my own reaction.

This audio is a great telling of this amazing journey. Any history buff should order this and play it over and over. The facts of the ride and the aftermath of the characters will leave you in awe.

This book was well written and hard to put down. When I was finished I wanted more!

This book provided a nice combination of maps, photos and drawings to compliment the good reading. One of the best books I've read on the
subject.