Lewis & Clark (Hardcover)

~ Stephen E. Ambrose (Author), Sam Abell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In his preface, Stephen E. Ambrose describes the expedition of Lewis and Clark across the North American continent and back (from May 1804 to December 1806) as "the greatest camping trip of all time, and the greatest hunting trip. And one of the greatest scientific expeditions ever." It's a trip that Ambrose and his family often emulate, camping in the same lands the expedition first encountered nearly two centuries before them. In 1997, he was accompanied by National Geographic photographer Sam Abell. Some of these stunning pictures lead off the account of the journey presented here, and then pepper the second half of the book, which is also filled with period illustrations and maps. Ambrose has told the story of Lewis and Clark before, in the bestselling Undaunted Courage; the version he tells in Voyage of Discovery is shorter, but is also filled with his own contemporary reflections upon the men and the lands they traveled. This coffee-table book will delight lovers of history and nature alike, and may well inspire you to pack up your gear and hit the trail.

From School Library Journal

YA-The author of Undaunted Courage (S & S, 1996) has written another excellent book about the two men who were responsible for opening up the American West. Ambrose and his family have spent their vacations following the routes taken by the expedition and this volume is an outgrowth of their travels. Although it is about Lewis and Clark, it is equally about the author's own observations on their impact on the land and people and the positive affect his own trips have had on him and his family. In addition to the superb writing, the book has stunning, full-color photographs of the places that Lewis and Clark so vividly described. Reproductions of many of the actual paintings and maps done by the two explorers are also included. This combination of easy-to-read writing, high-quality photographs, and period artwork makes this book appealing to a wide range of readers.
Robert Burnham, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792270843
• ISBN-13: 978-0792270843
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #811,891 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, August 7, 2000

By	Michael C. Sacco "dan fan" (Saint James, New York USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow! I love this book. I also love Ambrose's writing. He instills so much energy into this tale. Anyone who has seen Ken Burns' Lewis and Clark-The Journey of the Corps of Discovery, will remember how strong a presence he had in that film. He is truly dynamic. The history teacher I never had. I've been reading this book in conjunction with the journals and it really makes a great combo. When I'm a little confused as to what's happening in the journals, this book helps fill in the blanks. Maps and archival photos are also a real nice touch. Oh, and the landscape photos are beautiful too. I also have to disagree with a previous reviewer who mentioned that the addition of Ambrose's family experiences were annoying. I find them enjoyable and they really help give me a sense of what many of the L & C places are like in the present. I've always wondered about that. This book is A MUST for L & C admirers.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, September 7, 2002

By	Theodore Illenberg (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lewis & Clark: Voyage of Discovery (Hardcover)

This book is about the author Stephen Ambrose retracing the Lewis and Clark expidition with his family. The author goes from the present to the past at each point of the journey. He tells of his experiences at that location then he describes the events of Lewis and Clark at that time.

I was impressed by the details that Lewis and Clark made in their journal. The book contains excerps from their journal. Each animal they encounter was drawn and described in accurate details. Many of these animals, such as the bison and the prairie dog, were seen for the first time by white men.

I purchased the delux leather bound edition through National Geographic. The photographs were of typical National Geographic high quality.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ambrose's work incredible, December 1, 2002

By	Tyler Bridgers (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lewis & Clark: Voyage of Discovery (Hardcover)

Ambrose has created a new genre of historical writing; instead of simply retelling the events, he gets down deep into the heart of the matter for a complete understanding. In this book, he compares the original journey of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery to his own vacations with his family along the Lewis and Clark Trail that offer an interesting modern perspective on one of the most important events in American history. The story is full of amazing facts regarding the surrounding land, weather conditions, wildlife, the people on the expedition, and the people encountered along the way; all intersting details that are never mentioned in any history class.

The voyage is not merely told from an historical standpoint of a chain of events, for it also describes the trip from a human perspective, allowing any reader to feel as though they have become a part of the excusion themselves. Even the most minor players are described at some point or another, and Ambrose provides many details about the every day trials of such a trip, especially through the frequent inclusion of the valuable journal entries from the trip's two commanders, Lewis and Clark themselves. Ambrose goes so far as to proclaims their journals as "America's epic poem."

This story is truly a testament to the unshakable American character, and Ambrose has done much to encourage its revival. I would recommend it to any history buff or any patriotic American. Combined with stunning photographs from National Geographic photographer Sam Abell, this book teaches a history lesson that cannot be beaten.