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The Journals Of Lewis And Clark: Excerpts From The History Of The Lewis And Clark Expedition
In 1804, President Jefferson asked two Virginians—Meriwether Lewis and William Clark—to lead an expedition into the unexplored wilderness of North America. The journals of these explorers are both a priceless piece of national history and a great adventure story. With descriptions of Native American tribes and life-and-death struggles against the elements, this book will transport you to the early days of American exploration.
MP3 Book
First published March 22, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 8, 2026
Good enough to understand the journey of Lewis and Clark, but too casual, not rich enough for someone who would like to know more about science, geography, topology, paleontology or astronomy. Many details omitted.
February 15, 2024
“The Journals of Lewis and Clark” edited by Nicholas Biddle
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS:
-Print: Not available by this editor.
-Digital: Not available by this editor.
*Audio: COPYRIGHT: 12/16/1999 (Libby App version 28 Feb 2013); PUBLISHER: Recorded Books; DURATION: 4:47:00; (Audio info from Amazon.com)
-Feature Film or tv: No
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
-SELECTED: After a discussion about North American Natives I got curious about their history pre-1830’s
-ABOUT: The explorations of Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery (including Sacagawea), at the behest of Thomas Jefferson following the Louisiana purchase. It describes their journey along the Missouri and its connecting rivers, including the Columbia which ends at the sea. It describes interactions with various Native American tribes, the landscape and the hardships.
-OVERALL: These were excerpts from the journals. I think I might actually want more than excerpts. It was interesting to learn what served as gifts and trade items extended to the Natives (ribbons, guns, knives, tomahawks, robes).
The names are provided for many of the Native American tribes they encountered, but not all.
I had heard of Sacagawea but had not remembered that her role was as narrator. Nor had I known that she was married, or that she’d adopted a nephew upon discovering him orphaned when the expedition passed through her home land. She brought him along on the expedition.
I was disappointed to learn that most animals were treated in a pragmatic, utilitarian manner; horses being instantly put back to work carrying their burdens if they survived a steep tumble down a mountain; horses and dogs serving as meals when deer and elk were unobtainable. One mention of the burden of a horse included a desk. These were different times I suppose and it’s true that they were engaged in mapping territory so perhaps needed an organized writing area, but on an exploration through rough unknown territory, was it really necessary to drag along a desk? How big was it? Were horses required to carry other furniture items? Maybe they had carts and this just wasn’t included in the description? But maybe not, because often, they traveled by canoe. There’s no mention of what was done with the horses at these times, but it seems they were constantly procuring them, so perhaps they left them behind each time they took to a river. POOR horses.
AUTHORS/EDITORS:
Nicholas Biddle (ed.): (Excerpts from Wikipedia)
“Nicholas Biddle (January 8, 1786 – February 27, 1844) was an American financier who served as the third and last president of the Second Bank of the United States (chartered 1816–1836).[1] Throughout his life Biddle worked as an editor, diplomat, author, and politician who served in both houses of the Pennsylvania state legislature. He is best known as the chief opponent of Andrew Jackson in the Bank War.”
“Biddle also edited the journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.[11] He encouraged President Thomas Jefferson to write an introductory memoir of his former aide and private secretary, Captain Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809).[12] Biddle's work would be published as a book in 1814 and would become the standard account of the expedition for more than a century.[13] But because he had been elected to the Pennsylvania state legislature, Biddle was compelled to hand over editorial responsibilities to Paul Allen (1775–1826), who supervised the project until its completion and appeared in print as the book's official editor.[12]”
Meriwether Lewis (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
“Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 – October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier, politician, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark. Their mission was to explore the territory of the Louisiana Purchase, establish trade with, and sovereignty over the natives near the Missouri River, and claim the Pacific Northwest and Oregon Country for the United States before European nations. They also collected scientific data, and information on indigenous nations.[1] President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Governor of Upper Louisiana in 1806.[2][3] He died of gunshot wounds in what was either a murder or suicide, in 1809.”
William Clark (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
“William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor.[1] A native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Missouri.
Along with Meriwether Lewis, Clark led the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806 across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean, the first major effort to explore and map much of what is now the Western United States and to assert American claims to the Pacific Northwest.[2] Before the expedition, he served in a militia and the United States Army. Afterward, he served in a militia and as governor of the Missouri Territory. From 1822 until his death in 1838, he served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs.”
NARRATOR:
Norman Dietz (From AudioFile)
“Talking with Norman Dietz
Norman Dietz just loves to fool with words. While telling me about his fictionalized memoir, NAILING IT , which he recorded for Blackstone Audio in 2005, he mentions “knots” and “knotholes,” and I begin to get a little lost. Then Norman says, “I’m really a well-spoken acrobat. I like to stir up laughter.” As the author and performer of dozens of short theatrical productions, Norman has delighted audiences with vaudevillian sketches such as “a tiny satiric tale about . . . and a fast-moving rethinking of biblical narrative from . . . and a fable about . . .” As a narrator, Norman has spent more than 20 years bringing listeners the works of some of the great American humorists.
>Norman recorded Mark Twain’s LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI in 1988 and has 10 Twain titles to his credit. His Tom Sawyer has always been my personal favorite—I remember hours of re-listening spent with my son. Norman’s personal favorite is PUDD’NHEAD WILSON, because of Twain’s subtle attack on racism. Other audiobooks capture the works of P.J. O’Rourke, AGE AND GUILE BEAT YOUTH, INNOCENCE AND A BAD HAIRCUT ; WILL ROGERS , a biography of the early-twentieth-century humorist; and Kurt Vonnegut’s TIMEQUAKE , in which Norman captures the author’s “codgerly, sardonic grouchiness.”
Norman was one of the first narrators for Recorded Books, where he worked with Frank Muller, Nelson Runger, and Davina Porter under the direction of Claudia Howard, who continues as executive producer. Norman reflects on how styles of narration have shifted since the 1980s. “There was little emphasis on dialect work,” Norman recalls. “It’s a lot more theatrical now, with a focus on playing the characters.” The conversational style of Twain’s writing has always attracted Norman, and he enjoyed what he found in Studs Terkel’s memoir, TOUCH AND GO . “I love the first-person narrative, but I don’t become the author—like Hal Holbrook doing Twain. He’s the raconteur.”
Recently Norman has recorded more nonfiction—David Herbert Donald’s biography, LINCOLN , along with DID LINCOLN OWN SLAVES? ; a history of early germ warfare, THE FOURTH HORSEMAN ; a look at the Tabasco family company, MCILHENNY’S GOLD; and some personal health advice, YOUNGER NEXT YEAR FOR WOMEN . Norman has remarkable narrative gifts and style, seasoned by many years as an audiobook narrator, but his new venture is taking him back to his theatrical roots. He’s touring his one-man performance of NAILING IT. This is a true gift to listeners everywhere. Try to catch Norman’s show live, but if you must listen to the audiobook, you will “knot” be disappointed.—Robin F. Whitten
GENRE:
Nonfiction; History
SUBJECTS:
United States; 19th century; Louisianna Purchase; Missouri; Expedition; Thomas Jefferson; Native Americans
TIME FRAME:
Early 19th century
RATING:
3.7 stars
STARTED READING – FINISHED READING
2/11/2021 to 2/14/2024
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS:
-Print: Not available by this editor.
-Digital: Not available by this editor.
*Audio: COPYRIGHT: 12/16/1999 (Libby App version 28 Feb 2013); PUBLISHER: Recorded Books; DURATION: 4:47:00; (Audio info from Amazon.com)
-Feature Film or tv: No
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
-SELECTED: After a discussion about North American Natives I got curious about their history pre-1830’s
-ABOUT: The explorations of Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery (including Sacagawea), at the behest of Thomas Jefferson following the Louisiana purchase. It describes their journey along the Missouri and its connecting rivers, including the Columbia which ends at the sea. It describes interactions with various Native American tribes, the landscape and the hardships.
-OVERALL: These were excerpts from the journals. I think I might actually want more than excerpts. It was interesting to learn what served as gifts and trade items extended to the Natives (ribbons, guns, knives, tomahawks, robes).
The names are provided for many of the Native American tribes they encountered, but not all.
I had heard of Sacagawea but had not remembered that her role was as narrator. Nor had I known that she was married, or that she’d adopted a nephew upon discovering him orphaned when the expedition passed through her home land. She brought him along on the expedition.
I was disappointed to learn that most animals were treated in a pragmatic, utilitarian manner; horses being instantly put back to work carrying their burdens if they survived a steep tumble down a mountain; horses and dogs serving as meals when deer and elk were unobtainable. One mention of the burden of a horse included a desk. These were different times I suppose and it’s true that they were engaged in mapping territory so perhaps needed an organized writing area, but on an exploration through rough unknown territory, was it really necessary to drag along a desk? How big was it? Were horses required to carry other furniture items? Maybe they had carts and this just wasn’t included in the description? But maybe not, because often, they traveled by canoe. There’s no mention of what was done with the horses at these times, but it seems they were constantly procuring them, so perhaps they left them behind each time they took to a river. POOR horses.
AUTHORS/EDITORS:
Nicholas Biddle (ed.): (Excerpts from Wikipedia)
“Nicholas Biddle (January 8, 1786 – February 27, 1844) was an American financier who served as the third and last president of the Second Bank of the United States (chartered 1816–1836).[1] Throughout his life Biddle worked as an editor, diplomat, author, and politician who served in both houses of the Pennsylvania state legislature. He is best known as the chief opponent of Andrew Jackson in the Bank War.”
“Biddle also edited the journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.[11] He encouraged President Thomas Jefferson to write an introductory memoir of his former aide and private secretary, Captain Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809).[12] Biddle's work would be published as a book in 1814 and would become the standard account of the expedition for more than a century.[13] But because he had been elected to the Pennsylvania state legislature, Biddle was compelled to hand over editorial responsibilities to Paul Allen (1775–1826), who supervised the project until its completion and appeared in print as the book's official editor.[12]”
Meriwether Lewis (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
“Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 – October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier, politician, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark. Their mission was to explore the territory of the Louisiana Purchase, establish trade with, and sovereignty over the natives near the Missouri River, and claim the Pacific Northwest and Oregon Country for the United States before European nations. They also collected scientific data, and information on indigenous nations.[1] President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Governor of Upper Louisiana in 1806.[2][3] He died of gunshot wounds in what was either a murder or suicide, in 1809.”
William Clark (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
“William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor.[1] A native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Missouri.
Along with Meriwether Lewis, Clark led the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806 across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean, the first major effort to explore and map much of what is now the Western United States and to assert American claims to the Pacific Northwest.[2] Before the expedition, he served in a militia and the United States Army. Afterward, he served in a militia and as governor of the Missouri Territory. From 1822 until his death in 1838, he served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs.”
NARRATOR:
Norman Dietz (From AudioFile)
“Talking with Norman Dietz
Norman Dietz just loves to fool with words. While telling me about his fictionalized memoir, NAILING IT , which he recorded for Blackstone Audio in 2005, he mentions “knots” and “knotholes,” and I begin to get a little lost. Then Norman says, “I’m really a well-spoken acrobat. I like to stir up laughter.” As the author and performer of dozens of short theatrical productions, Norman has delighted audiences with vaudevillian sketches such as “a tiny satiric tale about . . . and a fast-moving rethinking of biblical narrative from . . . and a fable about . . .” As a narrator, Norman has spent more than 20 years bringing listeners the works of some of the great American humorists.
>Norman recorded Mark Twain’s LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI in 1988 and has 10 Twain titles to his credit. His Tom Sawyer has always been my personal favorite—I remember hours of re-listening spent with my son. Norman’s personal favorite is PUDD’NHEAD WILSON, because of Twain’s subtle attack on racism. Other audiobooks capture the works of P.J. O’Rourke, AGE AND GUILE BEAT YOUTH, INNOCENCE AND A BAD HAIRCUT ; WILL ROGERS , a biography of the early-twentieth-century humorist; and Kurt Vonnegut’s TIMEQUAKE , in which Norman captures the author’s “codgerly, sardonic grouchiness.”
Norman was one of the first narrators for Recorded Books, where he worked with Frank Muller, Nelson Runger, and Davina Porter under the direction of Claudia Howard, who continues as executive producer. Norman reflects on how styles of narration have shifted since the 1980s. “There was little emphasis on dialect work,” Norman recalls. “It’s a lot more theatrical now, with a focus on playing the characters.” The conversational style of Twain’s writing has always attracted Norman, and he enjoyed what he found in Studs Terkel’s memoir, TOUCH AND GO . “I love the first-person narrative, but I don’t become the author—like Hal Holbrook doing Twain. He’s the raconteur.”
Recently Norman has recorded more nonfiction—David Herbert Donald’s biography, LINCOLN , along with DID LINCOLN OWN SLAVES? ; a history of early germ warfare, THE FOURTH HORSEMAN ; a look at the Tabasco family company, MCILHENNY’S GOLD; and some personal health advice, YOUNGER NEXT YEAR FOR WOMEN . Norman has remarkable narrative gifts and style, seasoned by many years as an audiobook narrator, but his new venture is taking him back to his theatrical roots. He’s touring his one-man performance of NAILING IT. This is a true gift to listeners everywhere. Try to catch Norman’s show live, but if you must listen to the audiobook, you will “knot” be disappointed.—Robin F. Whitten
GENRE:
Nonfiction; History
SUBJECTS:
United States; 19th century; Louisianna Purchase; Missouri; Expedition; Thomas Jefferson; Native Americans
TIME FRAME:
Early 19th century
RATING:
3.7 stars
STARTED READING – FINISHED READING
2/11/2021 to 2/14/2024
September 8, 2026
A great story of adventure, and at times - monotony.
Early contact with potentially hostile indian tribes, interesting origin stories of the natives and how they survive. Love the story of Sacajawea and her reunion decades on with her family hundreds of miles away.
Hilarious that they are branded "dog eaters" by all the Indians, as they are unable to survive without resorting to continuous dog meat.
__
Starts with background: How do you outfit an expedition for 45 days, broader context of the financial incentives for the exploration then into the journal.
As you’d expect . Men potentially deserting , horses running off and being chased down , regular encounters with Indians .
Unbelievable amount of stuff , always awarding the Indians tobacco and whisky and medals and coats and beads. First hostile tribe, sex easy to procure particularly for the lone black guy on the trip.
Not much explanation of how far they’ve travelled. Setting up camps, some exploration on origin stories of tribes.
One lives underground in one community . But the brave are enticed to climb up a vine that is lowered in. Root that lowered and showed light . Large woman broke the grapevine and stuck the rest. They expect to return here , not allowed to cross if wicked. And this influences their current beliefs on giving to their gods.
Lewis meriwether survives a bear attack while his rifle is unloaded and survives by jumping in the river. Sacajawea recognizing beaver head rock hundreds of miles upstream near where she was first enslaved, before being sold to Charbeneau.
They cross the continental divide and find headwaters of the Columbia , huge moment. Encounter Indian women , who they explain are white , and then the tribe coming with 60 warriors .
Lewis goes overland and meets a tribe who they ride with , fortunately Lewis arrives . They meet sakejewas one tribe , her brother and niece are there which is crazy. Now they need to figure out how to get to Columbia , a seemingly impossible challenge . Long time spent with the Indians and trading horses , other things
Love the scene where they are branded “dog eaters” and the natives disgusted by this practice
Inconceivable the amount of salmon they see in Nov or so when they arrive to the waters of the Columbia , the natives just pick them off the shores directly and dry them on racks.
As soon as they get to Columbia river gorge they are just perpetually wet.
Trading with Indians a bit of tenuous situation even with their white Advantage. Lots of dogs eating .
Constant threat of theft or betrayal , different rules based on opportunity and power even if you are sharing a tent . Separate again , Lewis mischief where they try to steal his gun and horses , one Indian winds up stabbed and another shot . Net they gain a few horses and race to the Mariah river where the rest of their band is , expecting stiff Indian anger
Lewis accidentally shot my his own guy .
Recap - no overland route to rival trans navigation. Huge potential fur trade, and taking it out the mouth of the Columbia would put Montreal out of business.
Both were friends of Indians. Clark first head of Indian affairs , does more for natives than any other human , seeing a great human being. Possible evil turned to certain good. Lewis winds up shooting himself and dying terribly , under accusation of misuse government money. Circumstantial, evidence he was murdered
Early contact with potentially hostile indian tribes, interesting origin stories of the natives and how they survive. Love the story of Sacajawea and her reunion decades on with her family hundreds of miles away.
Hilarious that they are branded "dog eaters" by all the Indians, as they are unable to survive without resorting to continuous dog meat.
__
Starts with background: How do you outfit an expedition for 45 days, broader context of the financial incentives for the exploration then into the journal.
As you’d expect . Men potentially deserting , horses running off and being chased down , regular encounters with Indians .
Unbelievable amount of stuff , always awarding the Indians tobacco and whisky and medals and coats and beads. First hostile tribe, sex easy to procure particularly for the lone black guy on the trip.
Not much explanation of how far they’ve travelled. Setting up camps, some exploration on origin stories of tribes.
One lives underground in one community . But the brave are enticed to climb up a vine that is lowered in. Root that lowered and showed light . Large woman broke the grapevine and stuck the rest. They expect to return here , not allowed to cross if wicked. And this influences their current beliefs on giving to their gods.
Lewis meriwether survives a bear attack while his rifle is unloaded and survives by jumping in the river. Sacajawea recognizing beaver head rock hundreds of miles upstream near where she was first enslaved, before being sold to Charbeneau.
They cross the continental divide and find headwaters of the Columbia , huge moment. Encounter Indian women , who they explain are white , and then the tribe coming with 60 warriors .
Lewis goes overland and meets a tribe who they ride with , fortunately Lewis arrives . They meet sakejewas one tribe , her brother and niece are there which is crazy. Now they need to figure out how to get to Columbia , a seemingly impossible challenge . Long time spent with the Indians and trading horses , other things
Love the scene where they are branded “dog eaters” and the natives disgusted by this practice
Inconceivable the amount of salmon they see in Nov or so when they arrive to the waters of the Columbia , the natives just pick them off the shores directly and dry them on racks.
As soon as they get to Columbia river gorge they are just perpetually wet.
Trading with Indians a bit of tenuous situation even with their white Advantage. Lots of dogs eating .
Constant threat of theft or betrayal , different rules based on opportunity and power even if you are sharing a tent . Separate again , Lewis mischief where they try to steal his gun and horses , one Indian winds up stabbed and another shot . Net they gain a few horses and race to the Mariah river where the rest of their band is , expecting stiff Indian anger
Lewis accidentally shot my his own guy .
Recap - no overland route to rival trans navigation. Huge potential fur trade, and taking it out the mouth of the Columbia would put Montreal out of business.
Both were friends of Indians. Clark first head of Indian affairs , does more for natives than any other human , seeing a great human being. Possible evil turned to certain good. Lewis winds up shooting himself and dying terribly , under accusation of misuse government money. Circumstantial, evidence he was murdered
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2017
A soft and entertaining introduction to the accounts of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. I have always been intrigued by the pre-European landscape of North America, and these journals without a doubt catered to that interest, as you essentially follow a group of travellers as they document the landscape, the peoples, and the flora and fauna of the US west. I also loved the editing & historical framework laid out by Biddle.
July 14, 2026
I have to say, this is a fascinating read if you have any imagination at all! The things these people went through and the adventures they had—-people were just built different back then. I probably wouldn’t last 1 week on their mission, much less two years. This book is not too long and it’s definitely enlightening.
November 23, 2016
I guess I would have preferred more than just the excerpts. The explanation inserts were nice, though.
May 19, 2017
Interesting enough to make me want to ready the full version, rather than just the excerpts, but I suspect the reason it has been shortened is just to pull out the interesting parts.
September 16, 2021
A very quick share of a few of the excerpts from the Lewis and Clark journey. Grateful for the tweets and snips and this free share has helped me on adding my long backlog to buy the entire share..
September 9, 2016
For a thorough and enjoyable Lewis & Clark retrospective, go for Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage instead. In comparison, this book was a light overview, missing much of the context that made this amazing journey so compelling.
December 23, 2013
Somewhat entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews