The Way to the Western Sea

by David Lavender

Brilliantly distilled from diary entries and contemporary accounts and with masterly scholarship and high drama, David Lavender recreates one of the greatest adventure stores in American history—the transit and exploration of the American continent by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Biography, Science

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

David Sievert Lavender was a well-known historian of the Western United States, nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize, who is best remembered by many for his River Runners of the Grand Canyon.

Lavender spent most of his life in Ojai, California. An articulate and deeply knowledgeable speaker on the political and social history of the American West, he often spoke at the annual Telluride Film Festival.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very detailed (almost to a fault) summary of the Corps of Discovery and Lewis and Clark's expedition to chronicle the Louisiana Purchase. Purchased this book at the Lewis and Clark museum in St. Charles, Missouri so that made it notable for me, but the book was very dry and did not hold my interest.

[Dewayne Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just finished a book about Audubon and in it he visits the grave of Lewis while traveling. So next read was this. I have worked and traveled most of the area around the Columbia River and had never realized all the Indians names.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has its interesting points, a bit of a slog in some places. Well written.

[Renea S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sooo dry...

[Roy Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting history of an important American expedition. Much detail of the western trip, with a very shortened recounting of the eastern return.

[Jared · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too dry for me...a history book!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a LOT of L&C books in the last 6 months. Although there is repetition, I learn or read something new in every one!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me ~200 pages to really get into this book, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book is probably not for the casual history reader, but is well worth it for those interested in learning more about the Lewis & Clark expedition, and the adventures and adversity they faced along the way. Just as a side note, the maps included in the book, and google, were very helpful in keeping me oriented to their route and the geography they were crossing.

Favorite Quote: "On the 23d the horses were blocked completely. Yet Clark still wanted to believe that canoes could be taken through if the ladings were portaged around the bad places and the craft were lowered through the heavy water with cords. So he told eight of the men to remain at the stopping place while he, Toby, and three of the soldiers went ahead on foot to learn whether his thin hope was tenable.
The going was rough --teetering slabs of talus at the base of the cliffs, strong currents slamming against the far walls of the tight bends, water 'foaming and roreing thro the rocks in every direction.' To complete the whites' education, Toby led them along an Indian path that climbed six miles up a side stream...to a stupendous view of the 'hollers [hollows] of the river for 20 miles.' From that vantage point, as Clark put matters dryly, Toby 'pointed out the difficulties.' " :)

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this for book club and, overall, it was an intriguing read. One appreciates the time and effort Lavender has gone to in sifting through the source material and recreating both an accurate adventure of the time, but also placing the whole scheme in a historical perspective. He carefully sets any myths to right and helps us understand some of the more grueling and fiersesome bits. The beginning of the book was harder to get into because Lavender was so thorough as to give the background of the background info. It become a quicker, and more interesting read, once the trek is underway. As a novice to this historical period and event, I was amazed at some of the information, and I felt like I learned so much. It was well presented and easy to understand. I did feel a lack of illustrations. It seems to me that drawings of their canoes, dwellings, etc. and pictures of the landscape would have been even more helpful in fleshing out this story.

[Jeff Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing how resourceful guys were back then. For example, someone would get lost without bullets and carve some out of wood. Things like that.

Even though this book was written in the 1980s there's an old-school quality to Lavender's writing, which I like. He retains the quirky spelling and phraseology of Lewis and Clark when quoting their journal, which produces interesting nuggets like:
"it is now the season at which the buffalo begin to coppelate and the bulls keep a tremendous roaring we could hear them for many miles." [Lewis]

Also Clark dignifiedly refers to Sacagawea's genitals as her "region" when describing an application of medicine to the area.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I have read many of the Lewis & Clark journals and other books about the Corps of Discovery and this is on of the best editions. It's written more in novel form even though it isn't a novel. Great reading for anyone interested in Lewis and Clark. If you are fans of these books try "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen E. Ambrose. It is another great Lewis & Clark book

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. I learned so much about the Expedition and the political decisions that played a key role. Gave me a better perspective of how difficult this was and how amazing that they were able to persevere and survive.

[Madonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I love history, I really am enjoying this book. I am actually, still reading it. It is about Lewis and Clark. Amazing story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing history if you can get through the single spacing print.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

President Monson sighted this book in the January 08 Ensign. We want to read it now.