Customer Reviews

New Found Land: Lewis & Clark's Voyage of Discovery

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"New Found Land," by Alan Wolf. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0763621137/qid=1114056055/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-6991206... This book, billed as suitable for grade seven and up, caught the eye of a geezer. It's a novel written in first person poetic form in fourteen different voices, all principals of the Lewis and Clark expedition, The Corps of Discovery.

The title voice is none other than that of Seaman, Meriwether Lewis's big black bear of a Newfoundland dog--known to himself as Oolum. New Found Land is a story of a land at the dawn of its transition to a new existence, one that we know today as the western half of the United States of America. Other voices are Lewis himself, Clark, Thomas Jefferson, George Shannon, the Fields brothers, others of the expedition, and of course, Sacajawea.

Of course, it wasn't really New FOUND Land. It had been found some 10,000 years earlier, before the pyramids were built. But to the members of the expedition, and to many of us who love their story, it WAS NEW Found Land.

This work is a blend of the actual words from the Journals, and what might have been said by the characters as they made their daily discoveries. I like its poetic style, unique among all the books I've read about this adventure.

I loved this book - it is great historical fiction. The story-telling is great, and you pick up a lot of facts and information about the actual Lewis & Clark trip (without it getting boring or tedious). The style of writing takes a little getting used to - it is written in a poetic style, and each "chapter" is written in first-person by one of 14 different people. But, you get used to it. A plus for me was that each "chapter" is only 1-3 pages in length - so I could read small, complete pieces when I could find time. The author does include actual passages from journals kept on the trip, and mixes these passages well with both fictional and non-fictional accounts of the trip. I particularly enjoyed following the stories of Reubin and Joseph Fields.

I love poetry and history and found this book to be an intriguing blend of both. I've read many books on Lewis and Clark's voyage - even the best have a tendancy to become tedious with the (mis)spelling and durge of details. Mr. Wolf tells the story of the trip from the aspect of many different characters - including Seaman, the Newfoundland dog. This would be an excellent book for teachers to read aloud to their students - it's also a great introduction to poetry - don't be put off if you're not a poetry fan - you will like it!

I expected this to be a paperback, but recieved a hardcover copy and was pleasantly suprised. This was a fantastic value.

This is an amazing historical fiction account of the Lewis and Clark Voyage of Discovery. In Idaho, students are spoon-fed Lewis and Clark starting in the fourth grade. By the time they get to 8th grade, students think they know everything there is to know about the Corps of Discovery. This novel opens up their eyes and their minds to so many more possibilities, and the understanding that, "Yes, you're right Mrs. Baker, I guess there are still some things about the Lewis and Clark journey that I don't know." And they enjoy it! Beyond that, my husband, who is only satisfied with reading non-fiction, enjoyed it. I loved it. It is exceptional. The content/vocabulary is not so difficult that those with lower reading abilities will be put off, as they are, for example, by Undaunted Courage. Read it. You will be glad you did!

THIS BOOK IS THE BEST BOOK ABOUT LEWIS AND CLARK AND I'VE READ A LOT OF THEM. EVERY ONE SHOULD GET THIS BOOK.