Sunday, May 02, 2004
Undaunted Courage-A review
By
Eli the lesser
After an in-depth reading of “UNDAUNTED COURAGE,” A book authored by Stephen E. Ambrose, one will truly find what seems to be an adventure of peril and extreme courage as lived through the lives of Meriwether Lewis alongside his most worthy and valued friend, William Clark. One will also find that Thomas Jefferson had more in mind than just expansion of the country as well. A thorough study will allow the reader to understand what led up to the commission of this expedition and to what lengths the explorers themselves would go in order to see its successful culmination. This review will in short note, explain in part, why Ambrose wrote the book, what he was trying to say, how well he said it, and show how valuable this work is to any American history class.
Why did Ambrose write the book? According to the author himself, While visiting his Aunt, he came across a copy of Lewis & Clark’s Journal, which she gave to him. After reading the journal, Ambrose and his wife chose to retrace the path that Lewis & Clark made up the Missouri river with his family and some of his students. It proved to be a trek that was of much pleasure and wound up making it many more times. On his next trip he chose to take scholars along in an effort to hear their thoughts and questions. After this trip he had the basis and reason for writing a book. With all his knowledge and wonder about this particular expedition, the book was a natural.
What was Ambrose Trying to say? This question has many answers to it. One thing he was trying to do was raise the level of correct knowledge about the expedition from the questions fielded by his family, students and scholarly associates.
Another thing he did quite well was to clear up some misperceptions concerning Native Americans and their relationship to Lewis & Clark in particular and Indians in general. Society had and still does to a degree, hold on of two views of the Native American. One view is that they were this mystical, all knowing earth dweller in complete unison and tranquility with nature, and in this, had a higher wisdom than most cultured cultures. The other view would be one of a dirty and beastly nature. What Ambrose did so well, was to show a very reasonable and believable view of the society they were. His understanding and knowledge of the journal, comes through very well in this area.
Sacajawea in particular, is represented as being a person of great value and to some degree a hero to for saving the lives of those in the group, as well as, rescuing the journal itself from being lost in a river. A young lady of 15, with a child in tow, her courage and integrity is shown very well in this writing. Ambrose also shows that the natives were neither mystic, nor beastly. Their culture could easily be translated to any other culture in their state of development and locale. They were shown to be nothing more than people. In all their goodness, wisdom, badness and shortcomings, they were totally human. Nothing more, and nothing less.
Ambrose also goes into some depth concerning both Jefferson and Lewis, and how the expedition was of necessity to them both. He follows Jefferson through his political career and discusses in some depth how he felt about Louisiana and the rest of the West. One thing that comes out very well is Jefferson’s intent to not only expand, but to have set the ground for his nation to span from coast to coast. It was also of importance to find a water route to the west coast. Along with this, he pulls in the scientific community and made this quest one of dual purposes. The explorers were to not only find a route northwest, but also, document all they found in way of flora and fauna. The outcome was one of 168 new species of plants, and 128 new birds, fishes, and animals. Jefferson’s wisdom came through in being able to increase his audience of support through having so much to offer in return.
Ambrose also details Clark much as he did Jefferson. His writing follows him from childhood, the military, Jefferson’s personal secretary, and finally expeditionary scientist. As Jefferson had intent of sending a large military force on this trek, Lewis’s wisdom of sending a smaller troop that would make less impact and be received with less threat by the natives would be the realization of the expedition. Also pointed out is the fact that Lewis in his own right was a scientist of impact and well versed in most studies of science of the day. The author also illustrates the Lewis to be a man of great courage when under fire. He tells of how easily and level headed Lewis would deal with life threatening situations that would most likely throw anyone else into a fit of panic. Ambrose, though he could have left the work to deal only within the timeline of the expedition, goes on the detail the years closely following the end of the expedition up to Lewis’s suicide, and the results of his life and journey.
How well did Ambrose communicate his intent? This question will easily be answered by any person who takes the time to invest in reading it. This book is not one that will be a quick read for anyone as it is written in a style that forces one to stop and reflect upon almost every passage they read. In fact, it would be better said if one approached this work in anticipation of going on a quest. One will find themselves quite often imagining themselves as one of any particular character of point during the read. In short, this book is very engaging and will cause growth in anyone who endeavors to read it.
What value does this book hold for any American History class? As should be understood by this point, “Undaunted Courage” is a work that is of great value to any American Classroom. It could almost serve as an almanac of the expedition. The translation of the original journal and applied study comes through very well and is likewise a very inviting read. This book also could serve as a valuable resource when researching the subject presented. If for nothing else, the book’s extensive notes, bibliography, and easily understood index are of much value to any researcher of the period. The work of Ambrose could easily be called one of the best reads and resources for any instructor, student, or classroom.
Eli the lesser
After an in-depth reading of “UNDAUNTED COURAGE,” A book authored by Stephen E. Ambrose, one will truly find what seems to be an adventure of peril and extreme courage as lived through the lives of Meriwether Lewis alongside his most worthy and valued friend, William Clark. One will also find that Thomas Jefferson had more in mind than just expansion of the country as well. A thorough study will allow the reader to understand what led up to the commission of this expedition and to what lengths the explorers themselves would go in order to see its successful culmination. This review will in short note, explain in part, why Ambrose wrote the book, what he was trying to say, how well he said it, and show how valuable this work is to any American history class.
Why did Ambrose write the book? According to the author himself, While visiting his Aunt, he came across a copy of Lewis & Clark’s Journal, which she gave to him. After reading the journal, Ambrose and his wife chose to retrace the path that Lewis & Clark made up the Missouri river with his family and some of his students. It proved to be a trek that was of much pleasure and wound up making it many more times. On his next trip he chose to take scholars along in an effort to hear their thoughts and questions. After this trip he had the basis and reason for writing a book. With all his knowledge and wonder about this particular expedition, the book was a natural.
What was Ambrose Trying to say? This question has many answers to it. One thing he was trying to do was raise the level of correct knowledge about the expedition from the questions fielded by his family, students and scholarly associates.
Another thing he did quite well was to clear up some misperceptions concerning Native Americans and their relationship to Lewis & Clark in particular and Indians in general. Society had and still does to a degree, hold on of two views of the Native American. One view is that they were this mystical, all knowing earth dweller in complete unison and tranquility with nature, and in this, had a higher wisdom than most cultured cultures. The other view would be one of a dirty and beastly nature. What Ambrose did so well, was to show a very reasonable and believable view of the society they were. His understanding and knowledge of the journal, comes through very well in this area.
Sacajawea in particular, is represented as being a person of great value and to some degree a hero to for saving the lives of those in the group, as well as, rescuing the journal itself from being lost in a river. A young lady of 15, with a child in tow, her courage and integrity is shown very well in this writing. Ambrose also shows that the natives were neither mystic, nor beastly. Their culture could easily be translated to any other culture in their state of development and locale. They were shown to be nothing more than people. In all their goodness, wisdom, badness and shortcomings, they were totally human. Nothing more, and nothing less.
Ambrose also goes into some depth concerning both Jefferson and Lewis, and how the expedition was of necessity to them both. He follows Jefferson through his political career and discusses in some depth how he felt about Louisiana and the rest of the West. One thing that comes out very well is Jefferson’s intent to not only expand, but to have set the ground for his nation to span from coast to coast. It was also of importance to find a water route to the west coast. Along with this, he pulls in the scientific community and made this quest one of dual purposes. The explorers were to not only find a route northwest, but also, document all they found in way of flora and fauna. The outcome was one of 168 new species of plants, and 128 new birds, fishes, and animals. Jefferson’s wisdom came through in being able to increase his audience of support through having so much to offer in return.
Ambrose also details Clark much as he did Jefferson. His writing follows him from childhood, the military, Jefferson’s personal secretary, and finally expeditionary scientist. As Jefferson had intent of sending a large military force on this trek, Lewis’s wisdom of sending a smaller troop that would make less impact and be received with less threat by the natives would be the realization of the expedition. Also pointed out is the fact that Lewis in his own right was a scientist of impact and well versed in most studies of science of the day. The author also illustrates the Lewis to be a man of great courage when under fire. He tells of how easily and level headed Lewis would deal with life threatening situations that would most likely throw anyone else into a fit of panic. Ambrose, though he could have left the work to deal only within the timeline of the expedition, goes on the detail the years closely following the end of the expedition up to Lewis’s suicide, and the results of his life and journey.
How well did Ambrose communicate his intent? This question will easily be answered by any person who takes the time to invest in reading it. This book is not one that will be a quick read for anyone as it is written in a style that forces one to stop and reflect upon almost every passage they read. In fact, it would be better said if one approached this work in anticipation of going on a quest. One will find themselves quite often imagining themselves as one of any particular character of point during the read. In short, this book is very engaging and will cause growth in anyone who endeavors to read it.
What value does this book hold for any American History class? As should be understood by this point, “Undaunted Courage” is a work that is of great value to any American Classroom. It could almost serve as an almanac of the expedition. The translation of the original journal and applied study comes through very well and is likewise a very inviting read. This book also could serve as a valuable resource when researching the subject presented. If for nothing else, the book’s extensive notes, bibliography, and easily understood index are of much value to any researcher of the period. The work of Ambrose could easily be called one of the best reads and resources for any instructor, student, or classroom.
