This Vast Land: A Young Man's Journal of the Lewis and Clark Expedition - Hardcover

Ambrose, Stephen E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689864485 ISBN 13: 9780689864483

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2003

Synopsis

Follows the exciting adventures of George Shannon, an eighteen-year-old boy who, while accompanying Lewis and Clark on their legendary expedition, kept a diary about the day-to-day dangers, harsh physical work, and the extraordinary rewards. 75,000 first printing.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Stephen Ambrose was a renowned historian and acclaimed author of more than 30 books. Among his New York Times best-sellers are: Nothing Like It in the World, Citizen Soldiers, Band of Brothers, D-Day - June 6, 1944, and Undaunted Courage.

He was not only a great author, but also a captivating speaker, with the unique ability to provide insight into the future by employing his profound knowledge of the past. His stories demonstrate how leaders use trust, friendship and shared experiences to work together and thrive during conflict and change. His philosophy about keeping an audience engaged is put best in his own words:

As I sit at my computer, or stand at the podium, I think of myself as sitting around the campfire after a day on the trail, telling stories that I hope will have the members of the audience, or the readers, leaning forward just a bit, wanting to know what happens next.

Dr. Ambrose was a retired Boyd Professor of History at the University of New Orleans. He was the Director Emeritus of the Eisenhower Center in New Orleans, and the founder of the National D-Day Museum. He was also a contributing editor for the Quarterly Journal of Military History, a member of the board of directors for American Rivers, and a member of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council Board.

His talents have not gone unnoticed by the film industry. Dr. Ambrose was the historical consultant for Steven Spielberg's movie Saving Private Ryan. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks purchased the film rights to his books Citizen Soldiers and Band of Brothers to make the 13-hour HBO mini-series Band of Brothers.

He has also participated in numerous national television programs, including ones for the History Channel and National Geographic.

Reviews

Grade 9 Up-A fictional diary of the youngest member of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery. Ambrose does a good job of weaving fictional elements, such as George Shannon's thoughts and his romance and child with an Indian girl, with the historical facts of the expedition and what is known of Shannon's real life. The book opens with the young man, more accustomed to books than the outdoor life, persuading Lewis to let him join the expedition, and continues with his determined mastery of hunting, survival, and leadership skills that make him a valuable member of the Corps. Readers will fear for Shannon's life when he becomes separated from the main group for almost two weeks, and share his conflict over whether to return to civilization or continue the life he has created in the wilderness. The diary entries are occasionally salted with the rough language and sexual thoughts and actions that would be common in a group of young men, and the writing style will take a competent reader, as the sentences are often long and convoluted. A good choice for older teens who are interested in this fascinating expedition.
Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 9-12. Award-winning historian Ambrose, who died last year, shares his vast knowledge of America's Westward expansion through this novel about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Eager 19-year-old George Shannon convinces a reluctant Lewis to let him join their trek across America, and George tells the story of the expedition in his journal. Instead of building suspense through character development or plot, Ambrose makes the journey itself the center of the story. Each chapter dramatizes an encounter with Native American people, a difficulty with terrain, or a fresh conflict among the explorers that is usually easily resolved. Sacagawea is a strongly individualized character throughout. In the end, Shannon's rejection of prejudice by some of the white explorers offers a positive message about diversity. This is very easy reading, with short entries, sparse language, and simple sentence structure, but some coarse and racist language and the occasional explicit sexual experience make the story more suitable for older YA readers. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0689864485
• ISBN 13: 9780689864483
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304