The Essential Lewis and Clark

by William Clark, Meriwether Lewis, Anthony Brandt (Editor)

Overview

With nuanced observations from the star author and historian, here are the celebrated journals documenting Lewis and Clark's legendary expedition into the uncharted American West, abridged into a single volume and translated into modern English.

At the start of the 19th century, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on an unprecedented voyage of discovery. Their assignment was to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and record the geography, flora, fauna, and people they encountered along the way. This updated edition of the captains' journals combines historical insight from editor Anthony Brandt with the rich detail of Lewis and Clark's original writing, as well as archival maps and artwork. An enthralling portrait of the unspoiled West, this true-life adventure story is a window to the dawning of America—from encounters with grizzly bears to councils with tribal leaders and perilous mountain crossings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426217173
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/06/2018
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Meriwether Lewis, born August 18, 1774, in Virginia, served in the US Infantry during General Anthony Wayne’s Northwest Territory campaigns and, in 1801, became President Thomas Jefferson’s private secretary. A serious man, Lewis was known to be subject to periods of melancholy. After the expedition to explore the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase, he was appointed governor of Upper Louisiana. He died on October 11, 1809, apparently by his own hand.

William Clark, born August 1, 1770, in Virginia, was the brother of George Rogers Clark, a hero of the American Revolution. He served in the US Army as an artillery officer. With Meriwether Lewis, Clark led the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806 across the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. Clark was a popular leader; he was also popular among the Indians and served as Indian Agent in the Louisiana Territory. He died September 1, 1838.

Anthony Brandt attended Princeton and Columbia before becoming a freelance writer for Esquire, American Heritage, The Atlantic, Psychology Today, GQ, Men's Journal, National Geographic Adventure, and many other magazines. He was the essays editor of the Pushcart Prize for 18 years and has served as a nonfiction judge for the National Book Awards. Brandt is the editor of the Adventure Classics series for National Geographic Books, including the first edition of The Journals of Lewis and Clark.

Table of Contents

Introduction Anthony Brandt 15

Jefferson's Instructions to Meriwether Lewis 27

From August 30 to September 18, 1803 35

Summary: September 19, 1803-May 13, 1804 49

From May 14 to June 14, 1804 53

Summary: June 15-July26, 1804, 71

From July 27 to August 26, 1804 75

Summary: August 27-September 22, 1804 95

From September 23 to November 6, 1804 101

Summary: November 7, 1804-April 6, 1805 137

From April 7 to May 9, 1805 145

Summary: May 10-June 12, 1805 191

From June 13 to July 2, 1805 201

Summary: July 3-July 31, 1805 237

From August 1 to August 17, 1805 245

Summary: August 18-September 3, 1805 291

From September 4 to September 25, 1805 299

Summary: September 26-October 20, 1805 315

From October 21 to November 7, 1805 319

Summary: November 8, 1805-April 12, 1806 349

From April 13 to April 23, 1806 361

Summary: April 24-June 25, 1806 379

From June 26 to July 1, 1806 387

Summary: July 3 to Mid-August, 1806 395

From July 3 to August 12, 1806 403

Summary: August 13 to September 5, 1806 435

From September 6 to September 26, 1806 441

Appendix 455

Index 462