As Far as the Eye Can Reach: Lewis and Clark's Westward Quest

This year marks the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's western adventure, so the arrival of this history book addition to the "Landmark Books" series is right on time. In clear, readable text, "As Far As The Eye Can Reach" tells the fascinating tale of how Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on a harrowing journey to explore and conquer the mysterious western parts of their new country. Western expansion was the dream of then-President Thomas Jefferson, and so co-commanders Lewis and Clark began a cross-country trip through the pristine wilderness stretching across North America to the Pacific Ocean. Faced with the unknown, their aim was not only to stake a claim in the west, but also to collect specimens of plants and animals, map the unfamiliar frontier, find a northwest passage for men to follow, and to establish a diplomatic relationship with the various groups of Native Americans. Author Elizabeth Cody Kimmel tells the grand tale in eight simple, straightforward chapters, a prologue, epilogue and select bibliography. Chapters are numbered rather than named, making the book appear unfriendly and unwieldy for use as a research tool without a comprehensive read-through. Similarly, the impressive cover will attract many students, but the lackluster black-and-white illustrative materials are more academic than enticing. Children age eight and up will find "As Far As The Eye Can Reach" well suited for historical book reports, and teachers will find it a comprehensive teaching tool.