The Essential Lewis & Clark

With nuanced observations from the star author and historian, here are the celebrated journals documenting Lewis and Clark's legendary expedition into the uncharted American West, abridged into a single volume and translated into modern English.

At the start of the 19th century, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on an unprecedented voyage of discovery. Their assignment was to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and record the geography, flora, fauna, and people they encountered along the way. This updated edition of the captains' journals combines historical insight from editor Anthony Brandt with the rich detail of Lewis and Clark's original writing, as well as archival maps and artwork. An enthralling portrait of the unspoiled West, this true-life adventure story is a window to the dawning of America--from encounters with grizzly bears to councils with tribal leaders and perilous mountain crossings. 

Meriwether Lewis, born August 18, 1774, in Virginia, served in the US Infantry during General Anthony Wayne’s Northwest Territory campaigns and, in 1801, became President Thomas Jefferson’s private secretary. A serious man, Lewis was known to be subject to periods of melancholy. After the expedition to explore the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase, he was appointed governor of Upper Louisiana. He died on October 11, 1809, apparently by his own hand.

William Clark, born August 1, 1770, in Virginia, was the brother of George Rogers Clark, a hero of the American Revolution. He served in the US Army as an artillery officer. With Meriwether Lewis, Clark led the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806 across the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. Clark was a popular leader; he was also popular among the Indians and served as Indian Agent in the Louisiana Territory. He died September 1, 1838.

Anthony Brandt attended Princeton and Columbia before becoming a freelance writer for Esquire, American Heritage, The Atlantic, Psychology Today, GQ, Men's Journal, National Geographic Adventure, and many other magazines. He was the essays editor of the Pushcart Prize for 18 years and has served as a nonfiction judge for the National Book Awards. Brandt is the editor of the Adventure Classics series for National Geographic Books, including the first edition of The Journals of Lewis and Clark.