On this page, we have collected a bibliography of works that we have found useful in our planning and research for the Lewis and Clark Project including books, music and original sources. There is a great deal of material available on the web as well and a few links to major sites are also included. Not an endorsement, but a statement that we found these useful.
BooksThis is the definitive work on Lewis and Clark, presenting in annotated form the journals of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and four of the enlisted men. Described by the publisher as:
"one of the major scholarly achievements of the late twentieth century. Beautifully designed, first editions are now collectors’ items. This is the essential set for scholars, dedicated enthusiasts, and collectors."
USA Aloft agrees with this evaluation. Besides the hardcover edition, other formats may be available from University of Nebraska Press who also makes the journals available online.
Original
Journals of Lewis and Clark Expedition: 1804-1806Prior to Moulton, this eight volume set was the definitive work. Volume 8 consisted of the maps. A number of reprints are available from you favorite bookstore.
And prior to Thwaites, this 1814 publication was the definitive volume. It took 8 years after the expedition for an account of the journey to be published, although apparently the journals were available to the scientific community prior to publication.
This series is an invaluable aid to the truly dedicated follower of Lewis and Clark. Martin Plamondon spent 30 years painstakingly reconstructing the surveyed path of Lewis and Clark from the original journal data. That path, along with excerpts from the journals and cartographers notes, is presented with both modern and historical topographic data. Each volume presents plates covering a different portion of the route. The plates use the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid system which is used by many modern maps and GPS systems. USA Aloft's software shows the route based on the data from these plates but updated with errata discovered when we correlated our reading of the UTM coordinated from the plates with topographic charts. We highly recommend the spiral bound versions (ISBNs above) which lay flat when opened.
Lewis
& Clark: Historic Places Associated with Their Transcontinental
Exploration (1804-1806)Originally prepared for the National Park Service in 1975, this wonderful book is broken into two parts. Part One presents a short history of the Expedition, including some historical background, in 250 pages. Part Two then spends another hundred pages discussing the historical sites along the route. A great starter book for anyone, although dated by the black and white pictures and maps.
A marvelous popular account of the Expedition, written by one of America's pre-eminent historians and leading Lewis and Clark enthusiasts. Ambrose returned to the Trail with his family every year for more than twenty years, walking, paddling, driving or riding on horseback to gain a deep personal understanding of the Expedition's experience.
Original letters from Lewis, Clark, Jefferson and others concerning the expedition. An excellent and frequently cited companion to Gary Moulton's annotated journals work shown above.
A collection of essays concerning Jackson's work on Lewis and Clark, including his "discovery" that Lewis's dog was named Seaman and not Scannon as previously thought.
The text follows that of Undaunted Courage by Ambrose. The magnificent photographs make us jealous. Enough said.
A reasonably priced guide to driving along the Trail with an interesting mix of historical information about the Trail and modern information about sites you might wish to visit.
Feasting and
Fasting with Lewis & Clark: A Food and Social
History of the Early 1800's
by Leandra Zim Holland, ISBN: 9781591520078,
Publisher: Sweetgrass Books
The book is a bit uneven in its coverage, sometimes repeating itself, but overall this is the best material we have seen on the nutritional aspects of the expedition. Many "Lewis and Clark Cookbooks" tend to be restatements of recipes the author thought might have been used, overflowing with modern ingredients and leaving the taster with nothing that could not be found in a modern cookbook. This text breaks that pattern to examine period preparation techniques, equipment and ingredients and treats the nutritional needs of an 1800's expedition member.. If you would like to try Lewis and Clark cooking, get this book.
A widely used period text describing surveying techniques used through the century after its writing. USA Aloft uses this text for its Lewis and Clark Survey course.
USA Aloft has all of these CDs and regularly enjoys the mix of period music they present. We present just the titles and some links and addresses for the creators of the music. If you visit the web sites, you may find song lists and even samples.
An internet search will reveal many sites with bicentennial information. You will find "national" sites, state sites, chamber of commerce sites etc. One truly national site is lewisandclark200.gov. This site describes itself as "is a partnership among 32 federal agencies and organizations aimed at providing a single, easy-to-use web portal with information about various Lewis and Clark historical places." The site maintains a Links page that points to a number of the more well known national and state sites.
The American Philosophical Society 's site describes itself: "An eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, the American Philosophical Society promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and community outreach." Its reputation, dating back to its formation in 1743, is well deserved. The Society preserves an extensive collection of the original journals and offers a number of illustrations and other materials for sale.
The Missouri Historical Society houses an extensive collection of original papers concerning the Expedition and the period.
Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library houses a number of Lewis and Clark items, particularly a number of Expedition maps and the Expedition receipt.
Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon maintains one of the largest collections of printed materials concerning the Expedition.
If you are a book lover and have never been to Powells Bookstore in Portland , Oregon, then you are in for a treat when you do. The main store fills a city block. If you are technically minded, we suggest you do not carry any credit cards when you visit their large technical bookstore. Visitors to the main store are given a map of the store upon entering. You may need it to find your way out. On our last visit there, Powells had a nice collection of Lewis and Clark materials for the new enthusiast through the very serious collector. Powells recently listed the two volume set of the Biddle publication in their rare book offerings for $60,000.
Another place to spend money is the Fort Clatsop bookstore. Here you can find things like replicas of the Jefferson Peace Medals, quill pens and ink, music, cookbooks, and a book describing the scientific discoveries of the expedition.