Undaunted Courage

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

Length: 21 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson selected his personal secretary, Captain Meriwether Lewis, to lead a voyage up the Missouri River, across the forbidding Rockies, and - by way of the Snake and Columbia rivers - down to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis and his partner, Captain William Clark, endured incredible hardships and witnessed astounding sights. With great perseverance, they worked their way into an unexplored West. When they returned two years later, they had long since been given up for dead.

Undaunted Courage is supported by a variety of colorful characters: Jefferson and his vision of the West; Clark, the artist and mapmaker; and Lewis, the enigma, who led brilliantly but considered the mission a failure. After suffering several periods of depression - and despite his status as national hero - Lewis died mysteriously, apparently by his own hand.

©1996 Ambrose-Tubbs Inc. (P)1996 Books on Tape Inc., All Rights Reserved

Critic reviews

"... a swiftly moving, full-dress treatment of the expedition." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Ambrose's epic, a combination of rhapsody and reality, feels like a final glimpse at a pristine Eden before the crowd of trappers and settlers altered it forever." ( Booklist)

Great history

Tough to follow in the beginning because of so names. Outstanding story of American exploration, that helped lead to settlements in the west.

Americana Underscored

This captivating and riveting story puts one within the Corps of Discovery through an incredible vicarious experience. 2nd time hearing it and I can't wait to trace the steps during a motorcycle journey this summer.

Incredibly well done!

Excellent

Excellent book, superbly written and performed. One thing that is made glaringly clear: as a society, we are far too soft compared to our recent ancestors.

Not as distracted as others apparently

I see others weren’t happy with the narration; I did not mind it so much. It certainly had little bearing on my enjoyment of the story. Granted this book is a summary of what’s already been written about Lewis and Clarke, however, I found it very engaging in a way that made the historic nature of the excursion feel real and relatable.

Extra ordinary explore

Very well, written a good narrative, great piece in an eye-opening account of what must’ve been the greatest expedition in the history of America

Spectacular, engrossing and moving

A worthwhile close-up of the builders of the nation and the world, Imperfect people all, but great nonetheless, and rightfully revered. They were not immune to tragedy, sickness, loneliness and sorrow.

Literary Masterpiece

Book was extremely well written and thorough in it's detailing and sequential progression of the lives of Lewis and Clark.

The human side of Lewis and Clark

The voice could be a bit monotonous, but that was the way it was written. Lots of interesting facts and it gave a detailed view of their experience mapping a new territory. Lewis was a detailed journal keeper.

Another Great book

Another great book by Stephen Ambrose we will miss him as a writer and historian. I found the book insightful and entertaining Ambrose opened this land up for all of us to see as Lewis and Clark saw it. Makes me want to go out and follow the trail they blazed. I live in the Northern Plains and I couldn't imagine living as they did at Ft. Mandan in the winter and have a longing to go back there. They must have been exceptional men.

What an incredible journey!

Ambrose does a fascinating job of bringing the epic journey of Lewis and Clark to life. Long, but well worth it; a very small price to pay for such a comprehensive look into American history.