Lewis and Clark among the Indians [Paperback]

James P. Ronda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1988

'James P. Ronda in Lewis and Clark among the Indians has drawn from the journals and other documents a compelling narrative of the expedition's encounters with the Indians. It is a story of discovery and suspense, and it is told with a modern concern to understand the Indian side as well as the white in the meeting of the two cultures' - Francis Paul Prucha, "William and Mary Quarterly". 'The Lewis and Clark expedition has long attracted the attention of many American historians, but this is the first book-length study of the expedition's interaction with the Indian people whom it encountered on its journey of exploration...[It] is particularly valuable for Ronda's inclusion of pertinent background information about the various tribes and for his ethnological analysis. An appendix also places the Sacagawea myth in its proper perspective. Gracefully written, the book bridges the gap between academic and general audiences' - R. D. Edmunds, "Choice".'Conceptually ...a brilliant book, extremely well written, superbly re-searched, masterfully organized. By blending traditional historical scholarship with anthropological and archaeological research, Ronda gives us the first ethnohistory of the expedition in a beautifully crafted narrative' - Doyce B. Nunis, Jr., "Huntington Library Quarterly". James P. Ronda holds the H. G. Barnard Chair in Western History at the University of Tulsa. His other publications include "Astoria" and "Empire", also a Bison Book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Lewis and Clark expedition has long attracted the attention of many American historians, but this is the first book-length study of the expedition's interaction with the Indian people whom it encountered on its journey of exploration. . . . [It] is particularly valuable for Ronda's inclusion of pertinent background information about the various tribes and for his ethnological analysis. An appendix also places the Sacagawea myth in its proper perspective. Gracefully written, the book bridges the gap between academic and general audiences."-R. D. Edmunds, "Choice"

About the Author

James P. Ronda holds the H. G. Barnard Chair in Western History at the University of Tulsa. His other publications include Astoria and Empire, also a Bison Book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (January 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803289294
• ISBN-13: 978-0803289291
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,354,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book to read following Undaunted Courage, July 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lewis and Clark among the Indians (Paperback)

A more detailed view of Lewis and Clark's relations and attitudes toward the Indians. Interesting insight into Sacagawea's true role within the Corp of Discovery. A must read for any Lewis and Clark/Western history buff.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, unique and first-class, October 27, 2003

By 

William J Higgins III (Laramie, Wyoming United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lewis and Clark among the Indians (Bicentennial Edition) (Lewis & Clark Expedition) (Paperback)

Responsibilities of proclaiming U.S. sovereignty, promoting intertribal peace between Indians, and advancing American trade were major components of the Corps of Discovery. This book portrays the relationships between Indian and white convergences when the U.S. was spreading its wings into unknown but recently acquired territories.
Ronda chronologically takes the reader up the Missouri River with Lewis and Clark first beginning with the Oto and Missouri Indians, followed by the Yankton Sioux, the intimidating and challenging Teton Sioux, the apprehensive Arikaras, winter life in the Mandan/Hidatsa village, the amiable Shoshones, Nez Perce and Flathead tribes and culminating with the ever so pilfering, troublesome lower Columbia River Indians.
What Ronda makes very clear, and what Lewis and Clark were hard pressed to alter and/or understand, were the intricate and byzantine trade network systems which existed among the various tribes. For example, there was the Teton Sioux and Arikara trade, followed by the Mandan/Hidatsa and Assinboine trade alliances which were difficult and demanding systems to change.
Secondly, encouraging intertribal peace between tribes was like swimming against the current. After decades and possibly centuries of intertribal warring, peace was not going to happen overnight.
If the reader is somewhat versed in the Lewis and Clark literature and assumes that there is not much else to learn from the expedition, this is an extraordinary look into a different side of the journey.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential book to every library, July 12, 2002

By 

Ben Heaton (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lewis and Clark among the Indians (Paperback)

AS an author of a Lewis and Clark book, I can appreciate the research involved in writing a good book. Dr. Ronda has written the definitive book for understanding the interactions between The Corps of Discovery and the various Indian nations they encountered. He explains the politics behind the numerous interactions, some friendly others very contentious. For a Lewis and Clark buff, this is a MUST HAVE addition to their collection.
I totally enjoyed this book!