The untold science and drama of Lewis and Clark’s expedition
Historian Craig Fehrman unpacks the science, politics and human stories behind one of America’s most famous expeditions
Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American's Science Quickly, I'm Rachel Feltman. We're concluding our week of summer reading episodes with a book about a famous chapter in U.S. history: the Lewis and Clark expedition. While revisiting a topic you likely studied in elementary school may not seem exciting, allow me to share a few highlights from This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark.
The Boston Globe called it "a ripping good read," Publishers Weekly deemed it a "revelatory unveiling of the raw humanity behind the hagiography," and the Washington Free Beacon labeled it a "rousing adventure tale that may also qualify as the most lyrical of survival guides."
Today, I'm speaking with the book's author, journalist and historian Craig Fehrman, about his work uncovering both the science and drama behind this historic journey. Craig, thank you for joining me.
Craig Fehrman: It's my pleasure, Rachel. I'm delighted to delve into the science, politics, and human stories that lie at the heart of this remarkable expedition.
Feltman: The book is over 400 pages, accompanied by an additional 60 pages of notes. How did you manage to condense such extensive history into a readable format?
Fehrman: Well, I knew I had to offer something fresh. After five years of research, I couldn't simply rehash what others had already discovered. I decided to shift the focus, going beyond the well-trodden path of Lewis and Clark's story. By highlighting figures like York, Sacagawea, and John Ordway, I aimed to paint a more comprehensive picture of the expedition. This approach allowed me to revisit the journals with fresh eyes, uncovering new details and perspectives that would have otherwise remained obscured.
Feltman: Your decision to include so many maps is quite impressive. Can you elaborate on the significance of these maps in your narrative?
Fehrman: Absolutely. The maps serve as more than mere visual aids; they're essential tools for immersing readers in the expedition. By breaking them up according to the journey's legs, I wanted readers to feel as though they were right there with the team, navigating the wilderness alongside Lewis and Clark. Moreover, the maps provided a unique perspective, allowing readers to visualize the expedition's route and appreciate the challenges faced by the explorers.
They also helped maintain a sense of orientation throughout the narrative, bridging the gap between the 1804 setting and the modern era.
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