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Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West (平装)
by Stephen Ambrose
| Category:
American history |
| Market price: ¥ 178.00
MSL price:
¥ 168.00
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Ambrose has written prolifically about men who were larger than life: he illustrates Lewis's life, his relation to William Clark, and Thomas Jefferson, creating a picture painted in the readers' mind. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 10 items |
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Michael (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
Whether you are a history buff, a history student, or just like reading about the American west, this is a must read. Stepen E. Ambrose has written a well documented piece. You find yourself in the boat with Lewis and Clark as they traverse the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers. You feel the excitement that Meriwether Lewis brought to the mission. After you read this you'll need to see the museum under the Arch in St. Louis, MO. |
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Kerry O. Burns (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
An incredible writer at his finest. The historical detail is fascinating and the adventure is incredible. You feel as if you are making this journey with Lewis & Clark. This was my first Ambrose book that I read. He has become one of my favorite writers because he never cheats the reader. He knows his story, his characters and his history and weaves a tale that is fascinating. |
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Steve Dietrich (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
Ambrose brings the magic of the Lewis & Clark expedition alive with this magnificent book.
A great author can struggle with a pedestrian story and a great story be tarnished by an unskilled author. However, Undaunted Courage is the re-telling of a classic story from the heart of America by a great author who also loves and lives the material. There are so many mini-stories woven into the book that it helps to stimulate entertaining discussions of this historic accomplishment.
The book also brought to me a far greater appreciation of Jefferson's great impact on art and science in the young republic. While we think of thte expedition in terms of its impact on our political history, it was equally important in gaining an understanding of the biological and geographical wonders of the uncharted wilderness.
It is a wonderful gift to young people to help them understand the foundation of our westward growth. Reads with the excitement of a novel and the enlightenment of good history.
It is hard not to repeat the many good things said about this book other than to mention that if I were to be allowed only 5 books to take for a year of isolation this would be one.
It's easy, but rewarding reading.
Highly recommended and a book that's filled a lot of Christmas stockings and birthday packages in our family. |
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Brian (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
This provided a great insight into the minds and the people behind a major event that made this country great. These people, just like the Founding Fathers, had the 'right stuff'. |
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Keith Johnson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
You won't be able to put this book down. I never knew that I could become so addicted to a history book! The book inspired me to go out of my way to visit some of the landmarks of the American west. If you are interested in American history, Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, or just the great outdoors, this book will treat you well! Enjoy! |
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Jeffrey S. Miller (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
I cannot in any way imagine that this story will ever be told better than version. Besides Ambrose's usual two pillars of strength (knowledge and storytelling), I think this might be his best work because it also encompases his pure excitement and love of the America dream and the western myth. He so powerfully pulls together the adventures of the Corps with the building of a nation over the next 100 years. |
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
Anyone who wishes to read a comprehensive, yet entertaining account of the Lewis and Clark Expedition owes it to themselves to read Undaunted Courage. Starting with the historical background, and early life of M. Lewis, the story of the expedition's journey across a continent is told in such a readable style that one is almost sorry when it's over, and they've returned to St. Louis. Ambrose makes extensive use of their journals, and adds his own views on why certain decisions were made, both wisely and not, over others. While pointing to the obviously gifted leadership of "the captains", he is not oblivious to their faults. Likewise in his descriptions of the various Indian tribes: both noble and unadmirable practices are related. The overall result of the author's approach is to tell a tale of courage and discovery, without any undo sentamentalism. There are, to be sure, many moving descriptions of events, e.g., the suicide of Lewis, who probable suffered from bi-polar (manic-depressive) illness, years after the expedition itself. And his descriptions of the various settings, with which he is eminently familiar, make it easy to understand why buffs today retrace long segments of the Corps of Discovery's routes. All in all, a great work of history. Highly recommended! |
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Gary Turner (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
This book is an amazing accomplishment. Stephen Ambrose has given us an amazing work with "Undaunted Courage". We learn the background of Merriwether Lewis, his close relationship with Thomas Jefferson and of course the trek across the country. Ambrose gives us a strong narrative, sprinkled with excerpts of Lewis and Clark's journal, interjecting his unique take on the situations. Stephen Ambrose is unparalleled when it comes to historical writing. |
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
What an outstanding work and what a pity that so few will become acquainted with it! Ambrose has knocked another one out of the park with the story of the famous Lewis & Clarke Expedition that opened the American West to the new country.
How many times have we heard that "all they did was walk a long way" or "they did nothing that native Americans had not done before" or (worse of all) "they didn't accomplish anything." This is the story not only of just explorers but of Presidents and nations. Their trip was no Sunday stroll through the woods. It was preceded by lifetimes of experience, years of preparation, organization and planning on a scale rarely seen before or since and once underway, withstood the hardships of the open country, unfriendly natives and unfamiliar wildlife.
We live in an age in which heroes are castigated and belittled for the mere fact of being heroic. I admire not only the physical courage necessary but the intellectual underpinnings of the trip. The results were astounding and changed - perhaps as much as any one event - the way we viewed both our nation and our mission. The story was told chronologically with great detail. Their trusty translator, the Indian girl, her husband, the soldiers, the Indian chiefs - all became real in this book. The maps were superb and the individual vigenettes (losing supplies, men lost, arguments, snake bites, etc) gave the story a reality that mere recitation of facts cannot provide.
The research required for such a book is astounding (note the incredible bibliography). And Ambrose has a way of bringing to life dry, historical figures... they become more than characters in a book. He superbly blends culture, history, politics and science into a seamless whole - a task worthy of five stars. |
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J. Bosiljevac (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-28 00:00>
This is the story of the greatest adventure ever to take place in the United States. It begins with Thomas Jefferson's selection and training of Meriwether Lewis, Lewis' selection of William Clark, and their four-year expedition across the continent in search of the all-water route to the Pacific. Although they obviously found no all-water route, they brought back an unimaginable amount off scientific, geographic, and anthropological information on the as-yet-unexplored (by white man) western territory. The hardships they endure, the discoveries, the quarrels, dangers, and ultimately, Meriwether Lewis' troubled and tragic life following the expedition have everything to make an incredible story. And the fact that it's true makes it even better. A truly amazing tale, told very well, as always, by Ambrose. |
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1 Total 1 pages 10 items |
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