David Thompson: The Epic Expeditions of a Great Canadian Explorer

by Graeme Pole

A vivid description of Thompson's travels. Although he has various ssites named after him, his accomplishments
were not given due credit. To travel via canoe, foot, horseback, snowshoes over 88,000 kms in the early 1800's was astounding. His cartographic skills had no equal in the eyes of his peers. Although he preceded Lewis & Clark by 11 years, his name is not mentioned in the US history books.
From 14 to 42 years of age, he mapped and surveyed much of what we know as northwest North America. A truly remarkable
man, the book is easy reading.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a few pages this author was able to cover David Thompson's life. I have read both The Narrative and The Travels which are interesting and very long books with numerous footnotes. I liked those books and that is perhaps why I thought this small book did such a good job of highlighting what the average reader would want to know. Pole also gave today's local names of the various locations that were significant. He talks about the names various stops along the Columbia River were given and that today 14 of them are damned and reservoirs of hundreds of feet deep have changed the river from Thompson's days. This book is an easy and enjoyable read, its an adventure and gives the reader a good look at the land and people here in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting information on Thompson.

[Keith Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read for those interested in how early explorers travelled the continent and their hardships.