Sally forth with books about Lewis and Clark
Sunday, August 22, 2004 12:42 AM PDT
By Chris Skaugset
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe country is in the midst of a major celebration, commemorating the bicentennial of one of the first successes of the young United States.
In 1801, Thomas Jefferson accepted the greatest offering of land in our history from a cash-strapped Napoleon of France. To explore, navigate, and study this newly acquired territory, Jefferson sent his personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis, and Captain William Clark.
Their group -- the Corps of Discovery -- not only captured the heart of a president and the nation. In the centuries since, it has captured the imaginations of the generations that followed.
Many of the members of the expedition kept journals that have been in print ever since. Books about the expedition abound, with a huge number being published recently and expected through the next few years.
The library offers many examples for your journey into history. Just travel to your local library and make your own discovery.
For Younger Readers
• "The Lewis and Clark Expedition," by Tamra Orr. Orr offers a look at the expedition using primary source material.
• "The Lewis and Clark Expedition," by Sally Isaacs, and "The Journey of Lewis and Clark," by Rob Staeger. These are two good, brief overviews of the expedition.
• "Call Me Sacagawea" by Joyce B. Hunsaker and "Sacagawea" by Lisbette Erdrich. This novel and biography are two of the many books about the Shoshone woman who helped the Expedition.
• "Uncharted Lands," by John Hamilton. This is part of a series of books by Hamilton covering the entire expedition.
• "Seaman's Journal," by Patricia Eubank and "Dog of Discovery" by Laurence Pringle. Two books about the Newfoundland dog who accompanied the Corps.
• "The Lewis and Clark Journals," by E.J. Carter. Carter provides not only the story of the expedition, but he also includes excerpts from the journals and information about historical documents in general.
• "Great Expedition of Lewis and Clark," by Private Reuben Field as recorded by Judith Edwards. Edwards gives readers a view of the expedition from the perspective of a member of the Corps.
For Mature readers
• "Lewis and Clark in the Land of the Wahkiakums," by Irene Martin. Historical, topographical account of local areas which the expedition passed through, then and now.
• "In Full View," by Rex Ziak. The expedition's last days on the lower Columbia and attempts to clear up vaguer aspects of the journals.
• "Exploring Lewis and Clark: Reflections on Men and Wilderness," by Thomas Slaughter. Collection of essays offers a revisionist version of the expedition.
• "Storm Heart," by Diane Glancy. Sacagawea is the focal point of this novel.
• "I Should be Extremely Happy in Your Company," by Brian Hall. An interesting novel about the expedition, relying heavily on the journals but bringing to life many vivid details, including nuances of Lewis and Clark's experiences and an exploration of Sacagawea's history and feelings.
• "Plants of the Lewis and Clark Expedition," by Wayne Phillips. A look at some of the plants that were found and collected by the expedition
• "Food Journal of Lewis and Clark," by Mary Gunderson. What the expedition ate and some recipes from that era.
• "Lewis and Clark: Across the Divide," by Carolyn Gilman. The companion piece to go with the traveling Lewis and Clark Exhibition that will be in Portland in 2005-2006.
• "William Clark and the Shaping of the West," by Landon Jones. A new look at Clark and his family and their impact on the western United States.
• "In Search of York," by Robert Betts. What we can know about the elusive African American slave, York, who was part of the expedition.
• "Lewis and Clark Journals," edited by Gary Moulton. An excellent abridged version of the journals that gives both a taste and the full flavor of the expedition.
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