Out West: A Journey through Lewis and Clark's America [Paperback]

Dayton Duncan (Author, Afterword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

One hundred and eighty years after Lewis and Clark's “Voyage of Discovery” (1804–1806), Dayton Duncan set out in a Volkswagen camper to retrace their steps. Out West is an account of three separate journeys: Lewis and Clark's epic adventure through uncharted wilderness; Duncan's retracing of the historic trail, now in various ways tamed, paved, and settled; and the journey of the American West in the years in between. Readers traveling with Duncan will encounter the people who inhabit today's West: farmers and ranchers, cowboys and mountain men, Native Americans, residents of dying small towns, city dwellers who have survived cycles of boom and bust. From the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to the Oregon coast, readers will be treated to a landscape as variously impressive as its people.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A marvelous and funny book."—New York Times Book Revie

(New York Times Book Review )

"An entertaining series of road adventures, paved with gems of history and lined with majestic conclusions about the development of the West."—Boston Globe

(Boston Globe )

About the Author

Dayton Duncan has been a reporter, humor columnist, editorial writer, chief of staff to a governor, and deputy press secretary for presidential campaigns. Born and raised in a small town in Iowa, he now makes his home in Walpole, New Hampshire. His books include Miles from Nowhere: Tales from America's Contemporary Frontier, also available in a Bison Books edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 452 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080326626X
• ISBN-13: 978-0803266261
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dayton Duncan, writer and producer of The National Parks, is an award-winning author and documentary filmmaker. His nine other books include, with Ken Burns, Horatio's Drive and Lewis & Clark. He has collaborated on all of Ken Burns's films for twenty years as a writer, producer, and consultant. He lives in Walpole, New Hampshire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Trip I Want to Take, November 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Out West: A Journey through Lewis and Clark's America (Paperback)

Ever since I read a few books about Lewis & Clark, I've been planning (in my head) a journey out west. This story captures the essence of how I envision my trip. Road rules, no highways, mom & pop restaurants, making new friends along the way.

I found this book very well written, fun, and engaging. I was able to feel what I think L&C and Mr. Duncan all felt. The excitement of a new journey, the weariness of such a long trip, and the saddness once the trip ended. I hope I can one-day follow in their footsteps.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Informative, February 21, 2001

By 

Uberbrawd (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out West: A Journey through Lewis and Clark's America (Paperback)

I read this book over a decade ago and it stills makes me chuckle. It taught me a lot about Lewis and Clark's Mississippi voyage and kept me laughing along the way. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's craving a relaxed, intelligent, historical read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Re-creation of Lewis and Clark's Adventures, December 17, 2000

By 

Joyce C. Anderson (St. Petersburg, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out West: A Journey through Lewis and Clark's America (Paperback)

This is fascinating reading for all who dream of following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and "discovering" those parts of the country that we know only in our imaginations. Especially interesting for us "born & bred" Easterners.