Lewis and Clark For Dummies

The Lewis and Clark expedition was the greatest camping trip in history. It was one of those irresistible American adventures that many people dream of living. This book shares the delightful details of the journey that historians have gleaned from the group’s journals and maps, and also discusses what’s known of the Indian perspective of the expedition.

Throughout the book, you find out about Jefferson’s western exploration from his earliest efforts to see the Corps assembled through the aftermath for the explorers, the tribes, and the United States. But the focus of Lewis & Clark For Dummies is on the period between Jefferson’s confidential letter to Congress requesting dollars to mount a western exploration (January 18,1803) and the expedition’s triumphant (and improbable) return to St. Louis (September 23, 1806): forty-two months that changed the world.

Join Lewis and Clark as they recruit the Corps of Discovery, meet Sacagawea and various Indian tribes, and set off along the Missouri River on a thrilling, perilous journey. Lewis & Clark For Dummies also covers the following topics and more:

• The expedition’s people and places
• Jefferson’s fascination with the West
• Final preparations of Meriwether Lewis
• Weathering storms to launch the expedition
• The discomforts and dangers of the journey
• Making maps and writing reports
• A first look at the Pacific Ocean

The story of Lewis and Clark doesn’t end with their return to St. Louis. This book will also lead you on an exploration of the fates and lessons of the Corps of Discovery. Find out what happened to Lewis, Clark, and many other key players after their famous journey. And examine the aftermath for the American Indians and the political and cultural ramifications for the United States. You’ll even find the resources you need to plan your own recreation of the expedition as you take the Trail yourself!

Introduction 1

Part I: Lewis and Clark’s America 7

Chapter 1: Reflecting on the Legacy: Lewis and Clark, Then and Now 9

Chapter 2: Getting Acquainted with the Expedition’s People and Places 23

Chapter 3: Compelling Lewis and Clark West 61

Part II: Into the Known: Monticello to Fort Mandan 71

Chapter 4: Gambling Big — the Jeffersonian Way 73

Chapter 5: Training an Explorer 89

Chapter 6: Wintering at Camp Dubois 107

Chapter 7: Traveling on the Big Muddy 119

Chapter 8: Pitching American Trade to the Western Tribes 127

Chapter 9: Enjoying a Cold Winter among Warm Mandans 149

Part III: Into the Unknown: Fort Mandan to the Pacific 165

Chapter 10: Journeying through Paradise and Purgatory on the Northern Plains 167

Chapter 11: Searching for Snakes and Horses 185

Chapter 12: Making a Cold, Hungry, and Dangerous Trek across the Mountains 199

Chapter 13: Recording “Ocian In View! O! The Joy” 221

Chapter 14: Coping on the Coast 239

Part IV: Bound for Home 257

Chapter 15: Stealing Away and Climbing Every Mountain (Twice) 259

Chapter 16: Exploring Far Horizons 277

Chapter 17: Heading Home 295

Chapter 18: Exploring the Fate and Lessons of the Corps of Discovery 309

Part V: The Part of Tens 335

Chapter 19: Twenty Places Lewis and Clark Saw: Ten Changed; Ten Unchanged 337

Chapter 20: The Ten Best Places to Visit on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail 343

Chapter 21: Ten Resources for Information about Lewis and Clark 349

Part VI: Appendixes 353

Appendix A: Tribal Homelands Visited by the Expedition 355

Appendix B: Glossary 359

Index 363

Sammye J. Meadows is the coordinator for the Circle of Tribal Advisors for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.

Jana Sawyer Prewitt is a former director of external affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

"A great book that honors American Indian tribes and the historic trail." Gerard Baker, Superintendent of the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail and member, Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold

Features maps, travel tips, and archival drawings

Retrace the steps of Lewis and Clark's historic expedition

Want to know more about this famous adventure? Join Lewis and Clark as they recruit the Corps of Discovery, meet Sacagawea and various Indian tribes, and set off along the Missouri River on a thrilling, perilous journey. You'll discover who all the players were, why the expedition happened, and the political and cultural ramifications.

"These knowledgeable authors have created a thorough, accurate, and lively introduction to history's great "road buddies" story — from the grand plan to the diverse cast of characters. Plus, they offer a fresh look at the cooperative Native Americans who helped the expedition." — James Alexander Thom, author of From Sea to Shining Sea and Sign Talker: The Adventures of George Drouillard on the Lewis and Clark Expedition