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This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark
Not yet published
Expected 21 Apr 26In the epic tradition of Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage, This Vast Enterprise offers a bold new take on the Lewis and Clark expedition, humanizing forgotten figures and shattering long-held myths about one of the most beloved episodes in American history.
Celebrated young historian Craig Fehrman, whose first book, Author in Chief, was hailed by Thomas Mallon in The Wall Street Journal as "one of the best books on the American presidency to appear in recent years,"delivers a major new account of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
When Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned from their long journey, in 1806, they brought an incredible tale starring themselves as courageous explorers, skilled scientists, and peaceful ambassadors. There was truth in those descriptions. But there was also distortion.
For the first time in a generation, This Vast Enterprise offers a fresh and more accurate account of their expedition--a gripping narrative that draws on new documents, stunning analysis, and Native perspectives. Fehrman's central insight is that the success of Lewis and Clark depended on much more than just Lewis and Clark. We all know Sacajawea, and some of us know York, the Black man Clark enslaved. But This Vast Enterprise introduces us to John Ordway, a working-class soldier who fought grizzlies and towed the captains' bulky barge. It introduces us to Wolf Calf, a Blackfoot teenager who watched his friend die in a battle with Lewis and his men.
To capture this cast of characters, each chapter in This Vast Enterprise moves to a new point of view, describing that person's desires and contradictions with an unprecedented level of care. Fehrman balances the story's inherent adventure with the humanity of its protagonists. One chapter shows Thomas Jefferson operating in an age of bitter partisan unrest--his secret maneuvers to fund the expedition, uncovered here for the first time, are a case study in presidential power. Another chapter reveals the strategy and strength of Black Buffalo, a Lakota leader, completely upending our understanding of early Lakota American diplomacy. In his chapters, Clark is not a bad speller but a student of the Enlightenment. (Fehrman found Clark's college notebook.) Lewis is someone whose psychological demons feel at once heartbreaking and modern.
And yet, in the end, the captains are men who needed help--from Sacajawea, from York, and from each other. Their expeditiontruly was a vast enterprise, a sprawling and federally funded military mission that came down to the heroic sacrifices of a few human beings. This book portrays those people, all of them, for the first time. It is more than just a work of history--it's a testament to the power of innovative research and emotional storytelling, and a thrilling reminder that even the most familiar moments in history can still surprise us.
Celebrated young historian Craig Fehrman, whose first book, Author in Chief, was hailed by Thomas Mallon in The Wall Street Journal as "one of the best books on the American presidency to appear in recent years,"delivers a major new account of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
When Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned from their long journey, in 1806, they brought an incredible tale starring themselves as courageous explorers, skilled scientists, and peaceful ambassadors. There was truth in those descriptions. But there was also distortion.
For the first time in a generation, This Vast Enterprise offers a fresh and more accurate account of their expedition--a gripping narrative that draws on new documents, stunning analysis, and Native perspectives. Fehrman's central insight is that the success of Lewis and Clark depended on much more than just Lewis and Clark. We all know Sacajawea, and some of us know York, the Black man Clark enslaved. But This Vast Enterprise introduces us to John Ordway, a working-class soldier who fought grizzlies and towed the captains' bulky barge. It introduces us to Wolf Calf, a Blackfoot teenager who watched his friend die in a battle with Lewis and his men.
To capture this cast of characters, each chapter in This Vast Enterprise moves to a new point of view, describing that person's desires and contradictions with an unprecedented level of care. Fehrman balances the story's inherent adventure with the humanity of its protagonists. One chapter shows Thomas Jefferson operating in an age of bitter partisan unrest--his secret maneuvers to fund the expedition, uncovered here for the first time, are a case study in presidential power. Another chapter reveals the strategy and strength of Black Buffalo, a Lakota leader, completely upending our understanding of early Lakota American diplomacy. In his chapters, Clark is not a bad speller but a student of the Enlightenment. (Fehrman found Clark's college notebook.) Lewis is someone whose psychological demons feel at once heartbreaking and modern.
And yet, in the end, the captains are men who needed help--from Sacajawea, from York, and from each other. Their expeditiontruly was a vast enterprise, a sprawling and federally funded military mission that came down to the heroic sacrifices of a few human beings. This book portrays those people, all of them, for the first time. It is more than just a work of history--it's a testament to the power of innovative research and emotional storytelling, and a thrilling reminder that even the most familiar moments in history can still surprise us.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
544 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 21, 2026
3157 people want to read
About the author
Craig Fehrman
4 books109 followersCraig Fehrman, a journalist and historian, spent five years writing and researching This Vast Enterprise. His first book, Author in Chief, was described by Thomas Mallon in The Wall Street Journal as “one of the best books on the American presidency to appear in recent years.” Fehrman lives in Indiana with his wife and children.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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November 1, 2025Promo: from lewis & Clark Trail Alliance.
Videocast Presentation
Join the Lewis & Clark Trail Alliance for an exclusive online conversation with acclaimed historian and author Craig Fehrman. In this special event, Fehrman will introduce his groundbreaking forthcoming book, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis and Clark (Simon & Schuster, 2026).
Fehrman will reveal what’s truly “new” about his work—not only his discovery of fresh documents but also his innovative storytelling approach, shifting perspectives chapter by chapter. He’ll spotlight John Ordway, sharing new insights into his early military career (including his work on the Natchez Trace), and fresh interpretations of pivotal Corps of Discovery moments like Camp River Dubois and the portage.
Attendees will get a rare behind-the-scenes look at Fehrman’s research process, including a PowerPoint of key historical documents—such as the newspaper ad that may have led Ordway to enlist. He’ll discuss how he uncovered new material, shaped his narrative, and reimagined this iconic American expedition.
Sunday, November 2, 2025 • 3:00 PM MT • via Zoom
Videocast Presentation
Join the Lewis & Clark Trail Alliance for an exclusive online conversation with acclaimed historian and author Craig Fehrman. In this special event, Fehrman will introduce his groundbreaking forthcoming book, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis and Clark (Simon & Schuster, 2026).
Fehrman will reveal what’s truly “new” about his work—not only his discovery of fresh documents but also his innovative storytelling approach, shifting perspectives chapter by chapter. He’ll spotlight John Ordway, sharing new insights into his early military career (including his work on the Natchez Trace), and fresh interpretations of pivotal Corps of Discovery moments like Camp River Dubois and the portage.
Attendees will get a rare behind-the-scenes look at Fehrman’s research process, including a PowerPoint of key historical documents—such as the newspaper ad that may have led Ordway to enlist. He’ll discuss how he uncovered new material, shaped his narrative, and reimagined this iconic American expedition.
Sunday, November 2, 2025 • 3:00 PM MT • via Zoom
January 31, 2026
What a truly wonderful book. There is so much great detail, insight and revelation in this expert tracing of The Lewis and Clark Expedition. There is the character and heroism of the leaders and their exploration team is revealed and each individual is a study in courage, patience, hopefulness and strength. Fehrman even takes time to follow up on his own extensive research. His writing style captured my interest throughout and I looked forward to “picking up where I had left off” every evening. One of the best features of this book is the description of each native-American tribe and leader. They are “real” individuals here and indigenous society is revealed in their societies, wars, villages,,reactions to the explorers. Thomas Jefferson is a central figure and his personality and intellect shine thru the entire story. I would recommend this book to everyone seriously interested in American History. The expedition was monumental.Fehrman always tells an exciting story.
Thank you NetGalley,author,Craig Fehrman,publisher, Simon and Schuster for the arc ebook of The Vast Enterprise.
On Sale April 21,2026
Thank you NetGalley,author,Craig Fehrman,publisher, Simon and Schuster for the arc ebook of The Vast Enterprise.
On Sale April 21,2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
544 pages
5 stars
A remarkable travelogue about Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s historic expedition across the country to the Pacific Ocean.
Extremely well written and brilliantly colorful, I adored this book The characters are fully fleshed out, with unique personaiIties and quirks. Lewis and Clark were very good friends, but had very different approaches to life. I was excited to learn about the various members of the expedition, especially York and Ordway
I can’t praise this book enough. The fine writing, wonderful descriptions of the flora, fauna and weather experienced along the journey were simply outstanding. The encounters with the Native peoples along the route were interesting and well described.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the early history of the United States, or who has an interest in exploration.
I thank NetGalley and Avid Reader Press / Avid Reader Press - Simon & Schuster For forwarding this book to me. Any opinions cited in this review are solely my own.
5 stars
A remarkable travelogue about Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s historic expedition across the country to the Pacific Ocean.
Extremely well written and brilliantly colorful, I adored this book The characters are fully fleshed out, with unique personaiIties and quirks. Lewis and Clark were very good friends, but had very different approaches to life. I was excited to learn about the various members of the expedition, especially York and Ordway
I can’t praise this book enough. The fine writing, wonderful descriptions of the flora, fauna and weather experienced along the journey were simply outstanding. The encounters with the Native peoples along the route were interesting and well described.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the early history of the United States, or who has an interest in exploration.
I thank NetGalley and Avid Reader Press / Avid Reader Press - Simon & Schuster For forwarding this book to me. Any opinions cited in this review are solely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
A very good book of the Lewis and Clark expedition. I have read much about the expedition previously, but Fehrman goes much deeper into the feelings of the leaders, and the pivotal role of Sacagewa as well as a good description of the meetings with natives. An excellent book!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews