Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose

 592 pages / 22 hrs

"'This was much more than a bunch of guys out on an exploring and collecting expedition. This was a military expedition into hostile territory'. In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson selected his personal secretary, Captain Meriwether Lewis, to lead a pioneering voyage across the Great Plains and into the Rockies. It was completely uncharted territory; a wild, vast land ruled by the Indians.

"Charismatic and brave, Lewis was the perfect choice and he experienced the savage North American continent before any other white man. UNDAUNTED COURAGE is the tale of a hero, but it is also a tragedy. Lewis may have received a hero's welcome on his return to Washington in 1806, but his discoveries did not match the president's fantasies of sweeping, fertile plains ripe for the taking. Feeling the expedition had been a failure, Lewis took to drink and piled up debts."  --from the publisher

Loved it! I wish Ambrose had written my high school history books. I would have learned so much. I give it five out of five stars.

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Comrads: Brothers, Fathers, Heroes, Sons, Pals

Comrads: Brothers, Fathers, Heroes, Sons, Pals
by Stephen E. Ambrose
139 pages

Stephen E. Ambrose, celebrated history writer, has composed a book on the special bond between male friends/family/comrades. He tells his own personal story of the family bonds between himself and his brothers and father. He explains the special relationship between Lewis and Clark, the explorers. Plus other notable Americans he has written about in the past.