River of Promise: Lewis and Clark on the Columbia

In the many published accounts of the Lewis and Clark expedition, historians have tended to undervalue the explorers’ encounter with Columbia River country. Most narratives emphasize Lewis and Clark’s adventures through their journey to the Bitterroot Mountains but have said little about the rest of their travels west of there. River of Promise fills a significant gap in our understanding of Lewis and Clark’s legendary expedition.

Historian David L. Nicandri shifts the focus to an essential ...