Meriwether Lewis

by Thomas C. Danisi, John C. Jackson, Robert J. Moore Ph.D (Foreword)

October 11, 2009 marks the bicentennial of Meriwether Lewis's death. As the leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition, an epic exploration of uncharted territory west of the Mississippi, Lewis has been the subject of several biographies, yet much of the published information is unreliable. A number of myths surrounding his life and death persist.Now independent scholars Thomas C. Danisi and John C. Jackson have written this definitive biography based on twelve years of meticulous research. They have re-examined the original Lewis and Clark documents and searched through obscure and overlooked sources to reveal a wealth of fascinating new information on the enigmatic character and life of Meriwether Lewis.Instead of focusing on the Lewis and Clark expedition, the authors concentrate on what Lewis was doing immediately before and after the journey through Western territory. They assess his role as a natural scientist and as governor of the Louisiana Territory. His lifelong mentor, Thomas Jefferson, thrust the latter role upon Lewis during a time of crisis. As Danisi and Jackson reveal, he would much rather have devoted this time compiling his notes and scientific findings into a vivid narrative of the expedition's adventures.Finally, using medical documentation, the book reveals the actual cause of Lewis's untimely death. The authors address both the conspiracy theories regarding murder as the cause of Lewis's death and the longstanding belief that he committed suicide.The Meriwether Lewis that emerges from this thoroughly researched biography is a man of honorable intentions who met severe challenges and handled difficult confrontations with patience and diplomacy. Both professional historians and armchair devotees of American history will want to add this important new work to their libraries.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

424 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2009

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solidly researched, well-documented and meticulous look inside of the life of Meriwether Lewis. The writers, Mr. Danisi and Mr. Jackson, present strong evidence for their assertion that malaria (and perhaps mercury poisoning) was the culprit responsible for Lewis's downward spiral and subsequent suicide. These new findings really make this book shine and present groundbreaking medical etiological evidence.

However, other times some of the writing seem plodding, and even slightly tangential when focusing more on William Clark and on periphery characters rather than Lewis himself. Another downside is the book does not include any of the adventurous expedition of the Corps of Discovery that we all know Lewis (and Clark) best for in order to concentrate on Lewis's full life.

Overall, this is a good read and does provide the reader with fresh insight into previously unknown information about the esoteric Lewis. I did, however, prefer Mr. Danisi's follow-up "Uncovering the Truth about Meriwether Lewis" and Clay Jenkinson's "The Character of Meriwether Lewis" to this book.

[Joanne Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was, as promised exhaustively researched and annotated, but it could have been better curated to tell a compelling story. At times I felt like I was reading a history of the bureaucracy of the Louisiana Territory. Yet I think the ultimate theory put forth about Lewis’s death is well argued and, on the whole, I have a better sense for Lewis the man as opposed to Lewis the legendary American hero.

[Esther Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography on Lewis only has me asking more questions about his ending as being either suicide or murder. Cases being made for both sides, this book focuses on his malaria and his deranged state of mind, how he has made previous attempts to end his life and so on.

Not to mention mercury poisoning from Dr. Rush’s medical pills and taking laudanum which is an opiate.

Still, it is possible that he was murdered on the Natchez Trace.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malaria. Recurrent malaria drove Lewis to suicide. This is the author's theory and it very well might be true. I credit the author with trying to document other parts of Lewis's life besides the expedition and the conspiracy theories on his untimely death, but those are the most interesting topics! I also felt like the writing wandered off topic sometimes talking about other people in his life, like Bates. Interestingly, the author paints a more sympathetic portrait of Wilkinson than I have seen anywhere else.

This book is thoroughly and exhaustively researched. Notes appear at the end of every chapter, and there is an index and an extensive bibliography.

I plan to read the author's 2012 book Uncovering the Truth about Meriwether Lewis and see if it is more to my liking.

[Garry Le Maistre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book concentrated on Meriwether Lewis and the road to his eventual demise. If you want a book about the Lewis and Clark journey then I would read Undaunted Courage.

[Steve Donoghue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first-rate, definitive biography of the interesting half of "Lewis & Clark"! Here's my review, from Open Letters Monthly:

http://www.openlettersmonthly.com/rev...

[Dusti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writing; boring subject in well-covered territory.