4.22

4

Aug 22, 2013

I enjoy travel writing, non-fiction, photography and American History and this book basically combines these elements a an interesting, informative and entertaining way.

I recomend it for anyone interested in the adventure of Lewis and Clark and their men, early American exploration or simply for the beautuful photos, illustrations and details.

(Note - it's a wide, coffee-table sized book that's better for browsing on a couch than on an e-reader or airplane seat)

2

Dec 21, 2012

Very good in spots, very Stephen Ambrose in spots

The historical account is great for the most part, but I have two complaints.

The first is that Ambrose injects himself and his family too much into the narrative. Jumping from past to present is bad enough if not necessary, but doing so for "look at me" reasons is worse.

Then again, it is Stephen Ambrose, and it's not totally surprising.

The book does also have some degree of the "American triumphalism" view of history that's par from him.

And, the Very good in spots, very Stephen Ambrose in spots

The historical account is great for the most part, but I have two complaints.

The first is that Ambrose injects himself and his family too much into the narrative. Jumping from past to present is bad enough if not necessary, but doing so for "look at me" reasons is worse.

Then again, it is Stephen Ambrose, and it's not totally surprising.

The book does also have some degree of the "American triumphalism" view of history that's par from him.

And, the treatment of the various Indian tribes in the context of their times, while decent, was nothing fantastic.

The pictures are indeed great. Of course, you can find many of the same from other great photographers, or from other National Geographic books. ...more

4

Aug 24, 2017

I was inspired by an upcoming road trip to read this account of the Lewis and Clark Expedition which I knew so little about. It was a good read with lots of quotes from the journals they kept on the trip and really brought the expedition alive for me. Ambrose's enthusiasm really came through. He and his family including five children have hiked and kayaked over many portions of the trails Lewis and Clark followed.

5

Mar 28, 2016

Fine writing and excellent research from this author. As usual, Ambrose is in his element relaying the work of great explorers and heroes alike. The information that is essential is present and speculation is scant in this best of an Ambrose effort.

5

Nov 05, 2012

Outstanding riveting historic adventure.
Made even beter with Sam Abell's photos.
Take the voyage...................................

4

Jan 08, 2011

loved this book! Stephen Ambrose makes you feel like you are there on the Lewis and Clark journey.
What a great writer.

4

Jun 05, 2016

Lots of great pictures and excerpts from the expedition's journals. I wasn't so much as interested in hearing about the Ambrose family's modern-day re-enactments.

5

Feb 02, 2016

One of my rare 5-star rated books. The combination of years of modern-day camping trips by the author and his family, excerpts from Lewis' journals, National Geographic photography in a large-format book is irresistible. Many more sites added to my bucket list.

5

Apr 01, 2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What a read! Lewis and Clark's detailed, often colorful journal entries mesh well with Ambrose' personal, first hand narrative. Together, they paint a picture of both the epic journey and the country they overcame. The real bonus to this volume was the collection of photographs and artwork that completed the visual feast. Could not put it down.

5

Feb 18, 2016

Great read. I don't see how anyone can really appreciate the length and breath of America until you read how Lewis and Clark secured it for the U.S. after Jefferson bought it and/or traveled it by car as I have done from California to Maine. If you live either east or west of the Mississippi, it's a whole new world out there.

4

Jan 24, 2015

After reading Undaunted Courage, which I loved and I saw this book about his and his families adventures while researching the book. As I read Undaunted Courage I was curious about what some of the places that the crew of Discovery saw and if some of it still existed. So the photographs of some of those locations was very cool to see and rounded out the story of Lewis and Clark nicely.

4

Jan 11, 2009

I know this book gets dissed for "plagiarism" and certain inaccuracies, but plagiarism is when you steal from one. When you steal from many, it's "research". This is simply one of the most fascinating historical works I have ever read. I could not put it down when I read it four or five years ago, and it turned me on to reading history in a very big way.

5

Mar 06, 2011

This is another book from my National Geographic Society shelf.
The author is Stephen E. Ambrose, who wrote Undaunted Courage. The subtitle is Voyage of Discovery. Ambrose becomes our travel guide who interprets the history for us and he tells the tales of how this epic journey influenced Ambrose's family in our modern era. He introduces us to local historians and guides.
The photographs are by Sam Abell, and I continue to admire his his work.
I encourage all readers to put this on your This is another book from my National Geographic Society shelf.
The author is Stephen E. Ambrose, who wrote Undaunted Courage. The subtitle is Voyage of Discovery. Ambrose becomes our travel guide who interprets the history for us and he tells the tales of how this epic journey influenced Ambrose's family in our modern era. He introduces us to local historians and guides.
The photographs are by Sam Abell, and I continue to admire his his work.
I encourage all readers to put this on your want-to-read list. ...more

4

Jan 11, 2009

I read the ten year anniversary edition which contained numerous outstanding photographs shot by a National Geographic photographer.

Stephen Ambrose took his young family on the trail in the mid 70's and fell in love with the saga. He masterfully intertwines their experience with that of the expedition as they traverse the continent.

While non fiction, this work reads like fiction and does not disappoint in pace, character or narrative imagery.

He helped me to understand how incredibly important I read the ten year anniversary edition which contained numerous outstanding photographs shot by a National Geographic photographer.

Stephen Ambrose took his young family on the trail in the mid 70's and fell in love with the saga. He masterfully intertwines their experience with that of the expedition as they traverse the continent.

While non fiction, this work reads like fiction and does not disappoint in pace, character or narrative imagery.

He helped me to understand how incredibly important and underestimated the quest was to the establishment and development of the United States as we know it today. ...more

5

Mar 11, 2013

This coffee table book serves as a useful and fascinating supplement to Mr. Ambrose's spectacular book, "Undaunted Courage," which tells the story of Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery's epic journey up the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. While naturally not as extensive as the aforementioned book, this oversized book's purpose of capturing and presenting utterly beautiful photographs from National Geographic's Sam Abell and carefully intertwining them with Ambrose's vivid This coffee table book serves as a useful and fascinating supplement to Mr. Ambrose's spectacular book, "Undaunted Courage," which tells the story of Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery's epic journey up the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. While naturally not as extensive as the aforementioned book, this oversized book's purpose of capturing and presenting utterly beautiful photographs from National Geographic's Sam Abell and carefully intertwining them with Ambrose's vivid storytelling along with including his own family's outdoor adventures on the same trails and routes provide an ancillary parallel that not only captivates the reader but also provides a remarkably edifying experience that has the ability to transport one back in time. This book is an absolute must-have for history fans of Lewis & Clark, as well as lovers of natural photography. ...more

4

Mar 01, 2019

I’d read many Stephen Ambrose books before, and know he’s skilled in these historical recreations. I was intrigued at the subject, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and his use of beautiful photography and interweaving his own family expeditions along the actual Lewis and Clark trail, to retell the whole 3 year episode. This book did not disappoint. I could really feel likeI was there, the explanations and pictures were very well done. It was an easy read, none of it got too tedious or overdone. I’d read many Stephen Ambrose books before, and know he’s skilled in these historical recreations. I was intrigued at the subject, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and his use of beautiful photography and interweaving his own family expeditions along the actual Lewis and Clark trail, to retell the whole 3 year episode. This book did not disappoint. I could really feel likeI was there, the explanations and pictures were very well done. It was an easy read, none of it got too tedious or overdone. It really made me jealous that I haven’t become more of an adventurer or outdoorsman. But even so, I have fotten a healthy taste of Ambrose’s re-enactment, and of the original Lewis and Clark expedition, via his colorful language skills.
I recommend experiencing the Lewis and Clark adventure via this book. ...more

5

Jun 13, 2010

This National Geographic book is lavish and contains stunningly beautiful photos with accompanying text that is exceptionally well written!

If you want to learn more about the Lewis and Clark expedition, this is a book to read.

It takes a while to soak in all the beauty of this coffee-table sized book because each photo by Sam Abell is so remarkably vivid that you feel as though you are riding in the swift currents of the tumultuous Missouri river, listening to the loud, terrifying growl of the This National Geographic book is lavish and contains stunningly beautiful photos with accompanying text that is exceptionally well written!

If you want to learn more about the Lewis and Clark expedition, this is a book to read.

It takes a while to soak in all the beauty of this coffee-table sized book because each photo by Sam Abell is so remarkably vivid that you feel as though you are riding in the swift currents of the tumultuous Missouri river, listening to the loud, terrifying growl of the grizzly bear, losing your footage as you slip down steep inclines, freezing as you trudge in sub zero degrees up over the rockies, experiencing the thunderous bellowing of thousands of bison on the plains and encountering American Indians -- some friendly, some connivingly, aggressively deceptive and war like.

Reaching the destination, the reader feels the breathless elation in Clark's exclamation of "Oh, Joy!" while standing on the Oregon coast watching the Pacific waves crash on the shore line.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy American history. ...more

4

Sep 03, 2018

Excellent coffee table book. Ambrose has weaved three strands together, a scholarly account of Lewis and Clark’s expedition, his own journal of walking in their footsteps, and beautiful photographs of the land traversed in this truly epic adventure.

4

Mar 14, 2019

The photographs are stunning and very inclusive. The text is easy to follow and Mr. Ambrose makes it all relatable by including his own family's journal entrees, as they follow the Lewis & Clark route. This would be the book to choose if you were only to read one Lewis & Clark account. This would also be a very good American History required school read.

5

Nov 12, 2018

I have previously read Ambrose's Undaunted Courage and the Bernard De Voto edition of the journals of Lewis And Clark. And earlier this year my wife and I did a river cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, following part of the captains' route. And reading this book several months after the cruise made me wish I had discovered it before the trip. The somewhat condensed account of this book, accompanied by the many beautiful photos, makes for a great introduction or review of this fantastic I have previously read Ambrose's Undaunted Courage and the Bernard De Voto edition of the journals of Lewis And Clark. And earlier this year my wife and I did a river cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, following part of the captains' route. And reading this book several months after the cruise made me wish I had discovered it before the trip. The somewhat condensed account of this book, accompanied by the many beautiful photos, makes for a great introduction or review of this fantastic voyage. The more I learn of the expedition, the more amazed I become at the accomplishment. One other feature of the book that I appreciated was Ambrose's juxtaposition of twenty years' worth of Ambrose family vacations to the Lewis And Clark trail with the places and events as described by the captains. Those stories make me want to go back and see more of what they saw. ...more