Lewis & Clark: An American Journey

Daniel Thorp's well-illustrated look at the Lewis and Clark Expedition is an excellent book for students just becoming interested in the legendary westward journey in Jeffersonian America. The writing style, although very good, seems to be more geared towards a high school audience, but it can still certainly hold the attention of more advanced readers. Thorp includes important background information on Thomas Jefferson's motivations for pushing the congressional-supported project and the influence of explorer/trader Alexander MacKenzie. The preparations for the voyage are described as well as the many places and tribes the Corps of Discovery encountered on their 28 month, 7,000 mile journey. Interesting points are made including the difference in relations between the Corps and the Mandan Indians of what is now North Dakota and the Corps and the Clatsop on the coast of the northern tip of Oregon. The Clatsop were not as interested in the voyagers as were the Mandan because the coastal people had already been trading with British and American sea traders for years (p. 106). The aftermath and legacy of the expedition is also examined (even in the early 1800s, it was hard to keep the American people's interest). At 155 pages, a lot of which are made up of photographs, this book will probably not be comprehensive enough for more serious readers of the subject. Still, it represents a very thorough overview and an excellent choice for someone looking for a first book on Lewis and Clark. The book does have something to offer to readers who are already well-read on the event. It is filled with interesting photographs, most of which are in color. It includes photos of items taken on the journey, pages from journals kept by the explorers (so clear that you can read them), recent photos of the places they visited, maps, and paintings, and lithographs (many by George Catlin). Overall, it is a very well-written and handsome volume for the Lewis and Clark buff.

This book is a must-have for Lewis and Clark fans. The pictures are excellent and beautifully done. The book is of similar quality to the following books which are at the top of my favorite Lewis and Clark Expedition picture books: Schmidt and Schmidt's "The Saga of Lewis & Clark" and Dayton Duncan's companion book to the Ken Burns' flim "Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery," and Stephen E. Ambrose and Sam Able's book.Thorp's book will be a welcome addition to your personal library or a beautiful book to add to your coffee table. It also makes a wonderful gift. There can never be too many Lewis and Clark Expedition books.