The Essential Lewis and Clark

Landon Jones has extracted the most essential parts of the Lewis and Clark Diaries. This is good news for us, as the diaries are incredibly long, hard to read, and focused on detailed accounts of botany, geography, meteorology, and other requests of President Jefferson. We hear about a full range of relations with the natives. Generally the Indians traded fairly and were helpful to our heroes. In the west, this was less the case, Lewis & Clark only survived a few encounters due to the credible threat of their US Army issued superior firepower. Our heroes also relate everything else that happened, fortunately Clark was an experienced medical man, familiar with treating social diseases common on the frontier. Regarding their diet, I dont even like eating pork, yet these hardy figures subsisted on dog and horse. They had their lucky days when bear, deer, and salmon were handy, but more often then not, it was a dinner of roots and less desirable meats. Lewis penned a letter to Jefferson upon the return to St. Louis. He was a bit optomistic in saying that the transcontinental route was a competitor to established water routes. That was not true for another 60 years until the railroads were built. This is a fun book to read, even better to listen to.

This review refers to the Unabridged Audio Cassette edtion of "The Essential Lewis and Clark" Landon Y. Jones, editor These selections from the journals of Captains Lewis and Clark during their explorations in the early 1800's is not the complete text of their writings, but after 6 hours of listening you will come away with more then 'essential ' knowledge of what took place. The selections will take you the entire distance of this important and historical journey, and you will feel like you are part of it. Read by two great voices, Peter Friedman ("Brooklyn Bridge"), and Tom Wopat ("The Dukes of Hazzard"), each giving the Captains very individual and wonderful voices, and making it easy to know who's journals you are listening to. Through the rivers and mountains, the Great Plains, you are there with them. It's not only an important piece of American History, but great adventures to get caught up in every step of the way, as they navigate unknown and untried routes, meet with native Americans, friendly and unfriendly, fight the elements, wild animals and mosquitoes that nearly ate them alive. So many adventurous episodes to savor in their words. They named the rivers, carved routes for the future, at times facing danger and hunger. I especially enjoyed hearing of their meetings and relations with the various tribes of Indians. The selections read are unabridged and their every thought captured for us to savor. I found Lewis's writings to be very animated and lengthy detailed accounts of the journey. Clark's seemed more abbreviated, but, to the point. Both put you right there with them and are eloquently written. Exciting and adventurous as they are an important and treasured part of American History. There is also a narrator to set the scenes and follow the path. Highly recommended not only for history buffs, but for those studying this part of American History in school.If I had had this audio edition 40 years ago in History class, I certainly would have paid more attention! The journals can't help but spark your interest. It is great for adventure story lovers. There are 4 two sided cassettes with excellent sound quality. For those looking for more explorations of the sea,check out:South a Memoir of the Endurance Voyage also recommended: The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty Enjoy the read... I did...Laurie

... but the events described in the journals actually happened, and they are fascinating! Their means of travel, of survival, of communicating with the Indians, of hunting game and chasing and being chased by bears -- all described in such detail that you can easily picture it. In addition to being adventurers, these men were romantics and intellectuals. It is no wonder that once their journals reached the east, people started coming west in droves to see the beautiful lands and abundant game they described. The CDs are great for a long drive or the daily commute.

Are you a Lewis and Clark buff, just starting out? You've read "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose, and perhaps a couple other Lewis and Clark books. It's time to read the journals, but you are daunted by the thought of all that early 19th century wordiness, spelling and such?Me too.This book is great. It's just what it says it is. All the good stuff from Lewis and Clark's copious journals, all the highlights, well edited. The value of this book is as a starting place, perhaps. It's short enought to be read easily over a few days. Like all good introductions, then, if you want more you know where to look, and you'll now know what to expect. Landon Jones provides all the accessibility; Lewis and Clark still provide the wonder.