Trail: The Story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

by Louis Charbonneau

In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set forth to explore and map the West, and forge a trade route to the Pacific coast. Though their adventures and contributions to American history are well known, a vital member of their team was nearly forgotten by time. Amid the soldiers, cartographers, and boatmen, one particular explorer in The Corps of Discovery stands out: Seaman, Captain Lewis’s giant black Newfoundland dog.

Seaman is more than a just a companion. He is a skilled hunter, a talented scout, and a fierce guardian, frequently risking his own life to save that of his master’s. Along with Seaman, Sacajawea, and the intrepid pioneers in their party, Lewis and Clark face countless dangers—starvation, deadly storms, and hostile tribes—as they attempt to achieve President Jefferson’s ambitious assignment.

Based on expedition journals and other historical documents, Trail is a gripping retelling of a true American adventure that vividly captures the inspiration, courage, and imagination of the Westward Expansion.

543 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 1989

Reviews

[E Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course I knew who Lewis and Clark were and what their expedition accomplished, but I didn't know any of the details about the trip. I was surprised at how difficult getting a boat up or down a river could be. For Lewis to get to the starting point, he brought supplies down the Ohio which was at one of the lowest levels in memory. He claimed they waded as much as they floated. Going upstream on the Missouri was a constant battle with many portages or the boats being pulled along from the shore with ropes.
This is a novel so always there are questions about some of the activities, but I thin most of it can be taken as fact. Of course, Sacajawea is mentioned prominently. The author is a dog lover, so Lewis's dog. Seaman, is also highlighted. I do believe not all of his escapades really happened.

The expedition started out in the fall of 1803 and returned in the fall of 1806. They had to build
numerous boats at different points, built whole forts when they wintered over at a spot. Food had to be obtained along the route and at times they almost starved. They suffered from extreme heat, cold, attacks of mosquitoes and fleas, and various ills, although only one member of the party died. The Native Americans could be either friendly or not.

This trip was probably more mysterious and dangerous than our present day trips into space.

[Margaret Piearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It 's very interesting to read from a slightly different view of the expedition.

John Shields was an ancestor of my grandmother's family. Her maiden name being Shields & mention of him being made in our family tree. It is a source of pride to her that he was a valued member of the expedition. There is a park along the Mississippi that was a campsite, North of Saint Louis & I have been there.Also one just South of St Joseph, Mo. I have been there many times as I live in St Joe. Now I can imagine the dog Seaman running around those places. The book is entertaining from several points of view. For me personal & historical.

[Pat Hollingsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always fun to revisit Lewis and Clark. Historical fiction genre allows the author to add a fair amount of drama to some of the more harrowing encounters. Adding Seaman — clever indeed!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes me really want to go hiking across the US. It makes me imagine what the states were like when they had been untouched by white men. In the days of google Earth, it's hard to imagine uncharted territory. I'm undecided on the journey's perspective from the dog. It does add a nice "Disney" feel to the story. Read it if you would like to explore your adventurous/historical side or if you're planning a road trip across the plains to the ocean.

[Gerald Hickman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good historical fiction. The Lewis and Clark expedition is followed from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean and back. I like the idea of making the dog a large character in this book. Lots of imagination was used by this author but still a good look back in time to see how explorers and Native Americans could cooperate and live side by side.

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing story of the Lewis and Clark expedition, based on known facts and journal entries.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trail, Louis Charbonneau, RDC-M, #3-89, 1989. Novel about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Okay.