Lewis & Clark Site Map

LEWIS AND CLARK RESOURCE MATERIALS

A Note to Teachers:
Hundreds of books and other types of media have been produced about the Lewis and Clark Expedition over the past two centuries. This prodigious output includes several multi-volume editions of the original journals, narratives based on the journals (some quite loosely), commentaries about various aspects of the expedition, novels, art and photography books, documentaries, and movies. Out of this largesse, teachers may have a difficult time choosing historically reliable materials for their students, particularly those in the early primary grades.
The obvious solution is to consult the original journals before teaching or recommending materials, but few teachers have the time to do that. To that end, suggestions are given below for sources that stick closely to documented information about the expedition and its aftermath. These few are not the only reliable ones, of course, and teachers and students should begin making their own judgements as they learn more about the expedition.

Lewis and Clark for Adults
Moulton, Gary E., ed., and Dunlay, Thomas, asst. ed. The Journals of the Lewis &
Clark Expedition. Norman, OK: University of Nebraska Press, 1986-1997.

Both captains kept extensive journals while on the expedition and at least four of the men did likewise--John Ordway, Charles Floyd, Patrick Gass, and Joseph Whitehouse. If other members of the expedition kept journals, they have never been discovered. Throughout the decades since the expedition, several different scholars have produced editions of the Lewis and Clark journals. The most recent edition was edited by Dr. Gary Moulton of the University of Montana. It consists of ten volumes plus an atlas of William Clark's maps. Moulton's edition is the only one that retains the exact wording of the original journals. It also has the advantage of more recently discovered information than earlier editions. Copies of this monumental work may be found in many public libraries.

DeVoto, Bernard, ed. The Journals of Lewis and Clark. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1953. An abridged edition of the journals in one volume. DeVoto fills in the gaps between journal entries with summaries of what happened during those times. DeVoto does not always retain the original language of the journals, but his work is nevertheless a good source for those who do not have the time to peruse the entire journals.

Ambrose, Stephen E. Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas jefferson, and the Opening of the American West. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996. A popular narrative about the Lewis and Clark expedition based on information from the Lewis and Clark expedition journals as well as later sources.

Lavender, David. The Way to the Western Sea: Lewis and Clark Across the Continent. New York: Doubleday, 1988. A stirring narrative of the Lewis and Clark expedition based on information from the journals. While historically correct (for the most part), the author sometimes speculates about what happened where the journals are silent.

Maps:
To obtain free maps of the Lewis and Clark trail, go to the following Internet website: www.nps.gov/lecl/maps.htm. This is the official site of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Classroom maps may be ordered by e-mail, by phone, or downloaded and printed from the website.

Lewis and Clark for Teachers and Upper Primary Students
Edwards, Judith. Lewis and Clark's Journey of Discovery in American History. Springfield, NJ: Enslow, 1999. Although this well-done book about the expedition is written for higher primary grades, it provides an excellent overview for adults who are unfamiliar with the story of the expedition.

Hall, Eleanor J. The Lewis and Clark Expedition. San Diego, CA: Lucent Press, 1996.
Another book for juvenile readers which condenses the story of the expedition while retaining the important highlights.