From the bestselling author of Band of Brothers and D-Day; the definitive book on Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the Louisiana Purchase; the most momentous expedition in American history and one of the great adventure stories of all time.In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson selected his personal secretary; Captain Meriwether Lewis; to lead a voyage up the Missouri River to the Rockies; over the mountains; down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean; and back. Lewis and his partner; Captain William Clark; made the first map of the trans-Mississippi West; provided invaluable scientific data on the flora and fauna of the Louisiana Purchase territory; and established the American claim to Oregon; Washington; and Idaho. Ambrose has pieced together previously unknown information about weather; terrain; and medical knowledge at the time to provide a vivid backdrop for the expedition. Lewis is supported by a rich variety of colorful characters; first of all Jefferson himself; whose interest in exploring and acquiring the American West went back thirty years. Next comes Clark; a rugged frontiersman whose love for Lewis matched Jefferson’s. There are numerous Indian chiefs; and Sacagawea; the Indian girl who accompanied the expedition; along with the French-Indian hunter Drouillard; the great naturalists of Philadelphia; the French and Spanish fur traders of St. Louis; John Quincy Adams; and many more leading political; scientific; and military figures of the turn of the century. High adventure; high politics; suspense; drama; and diplomacy combine with high romance and personal tragedy to make this outstanding work of scholarship as readable as a novel.
#141577 in Books 1998-05-26 1998-05-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.97 x .72 x 5.17l; .55 #File Name: 0679779086336 pages
Review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Good for the home libraryBy Andrew CzernekExcellent description of the emergence of the Declaration of Independence -- including the politics of the time. Shows all of the human frailties; especially those of memory when Adams and Jefferson are asked to describe how the Declaration was written. Maier shows the changes made in Jefferson's drafts and what may be the single instance of group editing actually making a document BETTER! It is well-enough written to still raise questions of modern political importance; such as what were the Founding Fathers' attitudes towards religion? Why did two of the rights in the Bill of Rights get rejected? Only objection: a little professorial and dry in spots.27 of 32 people found the following review helpful. Valuable source of knowledge for student of American HistoryBy A CustomerPauline Maier gives an insightful view of several of our most prominent founding fathers. And the parts played by each in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. In addition to the part played by the "committee of five" and the Congress as a reviewing and adapting committee itself. She enlightens us on the friendships; political philosophies and philosphical differences of the two most important figures (Jefferson and Adams) . Not to mention giving us a glimpse at their self controlled egos and jealousies as well. Of considerable interest is the overall public or social climate during the drafting of one of our most precious Documents. An understanding I had not had before. I very much enjoyed this book as a reference for further and/or continuing studies of the beginnings of this great Republic of ours and the men who made it possible. In any study of the same the more broad picture one can paint of these men the better one will be able to understand them and their motives. Never relying soley on any one point of view or perspective. But taking in as many as possible. It does not provide the in depth philosophies that Carl Becker provides in his book "The Declaration of Independence". But together they are a formitable start on understanding certain aspects of our Heritage and our founders intentions. When combined with an understanding of the Religious; moral and ethical standards of the time period (those manuals and books which shaped their thought processes) . The desperate straights that a break away philosophy created is brought vividly to life. One can begin to get a clear picture of the magnificent and wonderful event this document represents. Pauline Maier has created a work that should without a doubt be included in any dedicated study of the Birth of our Nation.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Demystified DeclarationBy VA DuckThe late Professor Pauline Maier examines the Declaration of Independence with an objective of tracing its 'authorship' beyond its principal draftsman and examines the ebb and flood of the tide of popular opinion of the document itself. Her writing is clear; cogent and dispassionate. She once called Jefferson; "The most overrated person in American history"; and with that you might expect bias; yet it is hard to find if at all within this book. Her point is that Jefferson came to be seen incorrectly as "The Author" of the Declaration when in fact he was; "The Principal Draftsman". Not a small distinction and one that Jefferson chose not to to correct in his latter years; the efforts of the Committee of Five and that of the Continental Congress are shown to be substantial as is Jefferson's reference and allusion to... and occasional inclusion of ideas and phrases coined much earlier in historical documents.The book is a thorough; scholarly treatment of the subject - well documented with citations to supporting and source material. In the end the book takes little away from Jefferson - while illuminating the contribution of other participants and clearly illustrating prior documentation incorporated into the Declaration. A very recommended read to better understand the history; objective and content of this piece of 'American Scripture'.-----kindle edition-----Well done e-book publication; text-to-speech is implemented and the full expected range of presentation formatting is available (text size; typeface choices; line spacing; margins and background color) Notes are properly hyperlinked and the index is fully and impressively hyperlinked to the contents. Missing are page numbers and the book contains no illustrations. - ★★★★★ for Random House publishers.
