The Essential Lewis and Clark (Lewis &amp; Clark Expedition)
Although complete versions of the journals of Lewis and Clark are readily available, readers daunted by the task of wading through approximately one million words will welcome this condensed edition of their incredible journey. In order to concentrate on the "human drama" of the expedition, Jones has excised most of the celestial, navigational, and scientific data Thomas Jefferson requested Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to record. Instead, he offers excerpts that focus on the seminal junctures of the journey, including their reactions to the breathtaking physical majesty of the West, their initial encounters with various Native American tribes, and their fascinating accounts of the physical and moral courage of their fellow travelers. Juxtaposing entries by the precise and poetic Lewis with the earthy and enthusiastic Clark, Jones has provided a vivid panorama of an epic undertaking. An essentially digestible slice of history.Margaret Flanagan--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.